First-season sire Lightning Moon dies of laminitis aged nine

Lightning Moon, the winner of the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot and first-season sire in Spain, has died from laminitis at the age of nine.

The son of Shamardal fielded his first winner when Tunante landed the Criterium Nacional at San Sebastian on Sunday.

"It's a very bad day for the whole team," said stud director Jose Hormaeche.

"It's a very sensitive loss for the stud but also for the staff, since he's a horse that has been loved by everyone in the three years that it has been with us.

"In addition, he has fought bravely in the last eleven months, as few would have, and has always shown a huge desire to live, but finally the disease has won the battle.

"On the other hand, Lightning Moon was a horse with maximum fertility that has left us with amazing physiques, authentic athletes and imposing models, with his first runners demonstrating precociousness and speed.

"He has quickly put on track an impressive winner of the National Criterium in Tunante, and with all these credentials and his luxurious pedigree, we were convinced that he was going to contribute a lot both to our production and to the national breed in general."

Lightning Moon was bred by Michael Collins and is closely related to the Listed Blenheim Stakes scorer Song Of My Heart, by Footstepsinthesand, and a half-brother to the Listed-placed The King, by Mastercraftsman, with that trio out of the Peintre Celebre mare Catch The Moon.

Trained by Ed Walker, Lightning Moon's biggest win came in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes over six furlongs at three and he was subsequently purchased by Godolphin, for whom he placed in Listed company at four.

"Having a horse of his characteristics in Torreduero and in Spain has been a privilege and a great opportunity," added Hormaeche. "A son of Shamardal and Group winner in England, with the speed shown by this horse, it is a luxury that we have been fortunate to enjoy thanks to the generosity of Darley, to whose leaders we are deeply grateful for allowing us to stand him."

Lightning Moon has three crops on the ground, with laminitis preventing him from covering any mares this year.

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