Death of two of blue hen Reprocolor's brilliant offspring

Meon Valley Stud in Hampshire is mourning the loss of Colorvista, the stud's last remaining daughter of blue hen Reprocolor who died this weekend at the grand age of 32.

Colorvista, a daughter of Shirley Heights, was the first Meon Valley mare to produce a seven-figure yearling at Tattersalls for the operation when her Green Desert colt, later named Murillo, fetched 1.3 million guineas at the 2001 Houghton Sale.

At stud she produced Mudeer, who was a neck second to Saratoga Springs in the 1997 Racing Post Trophy, and the Listed-placed pair Christian Name and Primera Vista.

Remarkably, six of Reprocolor's descendants have been offered by Meon Valley at Tattersalls and earned seven-figure sums.

Izzi Top, a great-granddaughter of Reprocolor, saw her Dubawi colt make 2.6 million guineas at last year's Book 1 Sale, and by an amazing coincidence, Izzi Top's dam Zee Zee Top saw her Dubawi colt fetch the same amount at the previous renewal.

Pierre, a Sadler's Wells half-brother to Colorvista, also died last month at Knockmullen House Stud at the age of 24.

Bought as an unraced three-year-old, Pierre was the first stallion to stand at Knockmullen House, which was established by Gordon and Mary Doyle in 1997.

From there he sent out two Cheltenham Festival winners - Pedrobob, who was successful in the 2007 County Hurdle, and Ballyalton, who annexed the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase nine years later - as well as Eider Chase scorer Wyck Hill.

Despite having never raced, Pierre proved an excellent conduit of class and stamina. Another unraced stallion currently lighting up the jumps scene is Court Cave, sire of last year's Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle winner Willoughby Court.

Reprocolor's daughter Colorspin produced one of the most influential British jumps sires of all time in Kayf Tara. Reprocolor also features as the fourth dam of this year's Dante Stakes runner-up Mildenberger.

Ballyalton (centre) leads over the final fence before winning the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase at the 2016 Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

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