Bolger homebred Group 3 winner dies after attack by swarm of bees at Indian stud

Sanus Per Aquam, a Bolger family homebred Group 3 winner who was standing at stud in India, is reported to have died after being attacked by a swarm of bees.

Fellow stallion Air Support, a 15-year-old former dual Grade 2 and Grade 3 winner in the United States, is also said to have suffered fatal injuries in the incident, which is reported to have occurred on Wednesday.

The duo were standing at Kunigal Stud Farm in the Tumakuru district of Karnataka in the south-west of India.

Details of the attack came from Udayavani ('Morning Voice'), a Kannada daily newspaper.

They reported that the two horses were at grass in their paddocks at about 1pm local time when attacked by a huge swarm of bees. Stud staff called vets out to the scene but, despite their best efforts, neither horse could be saved, with Sanus Per Aquam succumbing on Thursday and Air Support on Friday.

United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders had acquired the two horses for stud duties about six years ago.

Sanus Per Aquam, who was ten, was by Teofilo and the fifth foal out of Peintre Celebre's daughter Fainne, a half-sister to champion two-year-old and Classic hero Dawn Approach.

His brother Morning Mix was Listed-placed at Leopardstown but Sanus Per Aquam surpassed the achievements of his year-older sibling, winning half of his six starts at two, notably the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes. He was then a decent third behind Air Force Blue in the Dewhurst.

Sanus Per Aquam's form at three and four rather tailed off, though he continued to earn his keep by accruing some placed prize-money. In all, he won three times, was second once and third twice, for earnings of £121,001 in a 13-race career.

Kevin Manning rode him for trainer-breeder Jim Bolger throughout, in the colours of Jackie Bolger.

Air Support was by Smart Strike out of Danzig's daughter Gaze, and trained by Shug McGaughey.

He was to compile a commendable race record of five wins, three seconds and three thirds from 21 starts, for prize-money of $937,619.

His career highlights came with wins in the Grade 2 Virginia Derby and Bowling Green Stakes, while at Grade 3 level he landed the Transylvania Stakes and Pilgrim Stakes.

Air Support was fifth in the 2012 Canadian International Stakes won by Joshua Tree and Frankie Dettori.