Classic hero Milan (GB) (Sadler's Wells–Kithanga {Ire}, by Darshaan {GB}), died at Grange Stud on Wednesday, Dec. 21, Coolmore announced on Thursday. The 2019/20 Champion National Hunt Sire was 24.
“Milan was a very good-natured horse and will be sadly missed by everyone here,” said Catherine Magnier. “He was a wonderful servant providing top class horses year in year out.”
Bred by Fittocks Stud, Milan was bought by Demi O'Byrne for 650,000gns as a yearling at Tattersalls in 1999, and joined Aidan O'Brien's yard. Racing for Michael Tabor, he won his only start at the Curragh at two in 2000, and was third in the 2001 G1 Prix Lupin in his second appearance at three. Back on top in the G2 Great Voltigeur S. at York three starts later, the son of G3 St. Simon S. heroine Kithanga was a five-length winner of Doncaster's G1 St. Leger next out. Unplaced in Sakhee (Bahri)'s G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the half-brother to fellow St. Simon S. heroine Koora (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) was second to Fantastic Light (Rahy) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont in October. Injured in his lone start at four, he was retired with a mark of 10-3-2-1 and $991,814 in earnings.
Covering mares at Grange Stud beginning in 2004, Milan left Champion Hurdle hero Jezki (Ire), and Christmas Hurdle winner Darlan (GB). His top chasers are legion and include Santini (GB), Monalee (Ire), Apache Stronghold (Ire), and 2017 G3 Grand National scorer One For Arthur (Ire) among others. Milan's daughter Marie's Rock (Ire) starred in March's G1 Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and backed that effort up with another top-level score in the Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown this April. Of his 105 black-type performers, he sired 38 graded winners in the National Hunt sphere.
From the extended family of dual Derby hero Kahyasi (Ire) (Ile De Bourbon), several of Milan's daughters are black-type producers, with Coney Island (Ire) (Flemensfirth) and Skyace (Ire) (Westerner {GB}) both Grade 1 winners, the former over fences and the latter over hurdles.
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