Death of Newsells Park broodmare phenomenon Shastye at 21

Newsells Park Stud has reported that its exceptional broodmare Shastye died shortly after producing her latest Dubawi colt.

The 21-year-old Danehill mare had become a phenomenon for the Hertfordshire nursery and the Jacobs family, who renovated and developed the property before a sale to Graham Smith-Bernal.

Shastye, whose yearlings alone generated over £15 million at public auction, was a true Group 1 producer. She suffered a sudden haemorrhage late on Sunday night but is said to have succumbed very quickly.

Bought by Klaus J Jacobs and John Warren at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2005 for 625,000gns, she had won twice and been Listed placed for former owner, and her breeder, Skara Glen Stables.

Heading her progeny have been the Galileo brothers Japan and Mogul, both seven-figure purchases by Coolmore and now stallions who each claimed the Grand Prix de Paris. Sir Isaac Newton won a Group 3 and was placed in the Juddmonte while the Classic-placed Secret Gesture lost the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes in the stewards room.

The Galileo filly named Skylark was Shastye's most recent progeny to sell for seven figures in 2020Credit: Laura Green

Another Galileo three-year-old named Skylark, bought by MV Magnier for 3,400,000gns at Book 1 in 2020, has not raced for Aidan O'Brien yet but has Group 1 entries.

A statement from Newsells Park said: "The exploits of her progeny, most notably formed from her wonderful partnership with the extraordinary Galileo, gave us all the most unforgettable moments, whether they came amid the silence of a hushed sales ring, or accompanied by the roar of the crowd at Epsom, York, Longchamp or Sha Tin.

"When Newsells Park Stud was put up for sale at the end of 2020, it was Shastye that stood out more than any other mare to prove what was achievable.

"Shastye put Newsells Park Stud back on the map, made the stud commercially successful and helped to attract a new, considerate, enthusiastic and passionate owner in Graham Smith-Bernal to take on the custodianship of the stud for another generation. Rest in peace you wonderful, wonderful lady."

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