Classic hero and star sire Le Havre dies at 16 just weeks after being pensioned

Prix du Jockey Club winner and leading French sire Le Havre has died at the age of 16.

Announcing the news on Friday, only weeks after he had been pensioned from stud duties, Montfort et Preaux, which comes under the Sumbe banner of Nurlan Bizakov, said on Twitter: "Le Havre passed away last night following health issues. We have shared amazing moments with him at stud and on the racetrack. Thank you for everything champ."

Bred by the Sundstrom family's Team Hogdala and sold to Jean-Claude Rouget for €100,000 at Arqana's August Yearling Sale in 2007, Le Havre was a top-class performer for Gerard Augustin-Normand, winning his first two starts at two before finishing mid-division in the Group 1 Criterium International behind Zafisio.

He struck in the Listed Prix Djebel on his first start at three before a fine second to Silver Frost in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

His career highlight came when landing the 2009 Prix du Jockey Club on his next, and ultimately final, start, when beating the likes of Fuisse and the aforementioned Silver Frost under Christophe Lemaire.

Le Havre: son of Noverre won four of his six starts on the trackCredit: Mark Cranham

He was subsequently retired to Haras de la Cauviniere, now known as Montfort et Preaux after a name change in 2017. The Normandy stud was purchased by Kazakhstan-born businessman Bizakov in 2019 to combine with Hesmonds Stud in East Sussex.

A son of Sussex Stakes winner Noverre and Marie Rheinberg, a half-sister to the great Polar Falcon, Le Havre has been responsible for 79 stakes performers, including 20 individual Group winners, of whom five have struck at the top level.

One of his recent flagbearers has been the now retired Wonderful Tonight, who struck in the Prix de Royallieu, British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes and Hardwicke Stakes.

Other notable alumni of Le Havre's are Prix de Diane and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner La Cressonniere, fellow dual French Classic heroine Avenir Certain, Prix de l'Opera victress Villa Marina, and the admirably durable Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes winner Suedois.

Starting off from a fee of €5,000, Le Havre's stock rose accordingly as his progeny proved their talent on the track. He was due to stand this year for an unchanged fee of €40,000 - at his peak he stood for €60,000 in 2017 and 2018.

A release from Sumbe when announcing his retirement last month had read: "Le Havre is a true champion. The winner of a magnificent Prix du Jockey Club, he was a leading stallion from his debut at stud having sired 50 stakes winners, including two dual winners of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane.

"He is a French pride and we know how rare these horses are. He gave us the most beautiful emotions. We have lived with him for more than ten years and are enjoying every moment.”

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