'He was a gentlemanly horse' - Prince of Wales's Stakes winner and South African sire Byword dies aged 18

Juddmonte's Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Byword, who went on to stand at stud in South Africa, has died aged 18 while in semi-retirement. 

Kat Riley of Heversham Park, in the Daleside Valley, just south of Johannesburg, said: "He was as healthy and happy as can be. We sent him to our Jet Master mare, Six Of The Best. He covered her, got the job done perfectly, but collapsed a while afterwards and died of a heart attack. He was a gentlemanly horse, and had a beautiful nature."

The son of Peintre Celebre and celebrated broodmare Binche was a high-class performer for owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah and Andre Fabre. Unraced at two, he won the Listed Prix Pelleas at three and placed fourth to the great Cirrus Des Aigles in the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange that autumn. 

Byword: Prince of Wales's Stakes winner has died Credit: Heversham Park

A flashy chestnut, he came out at four to win the Listed Prix Jacques Laffitte on his first start, following on with a first Group success in the Prix du Muguet. 

A second to champion Goldikova in the Prix d'Ispahan was followed by his career highlight in the 2010 Prince of Wales's Stakes, in which he beat Twice Over by half a length. 

He also landed the Group 2 Prix Dollar and Group 3 Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord the following year, defeating Cirrus Des Aigles in the former contest. 

The half-brother to four-time Grade 1 winner Proviso was retired from racing at the end of 2011 and was sold to stand in South Africa, first at Middlefield Stud and then Mauritzfontein Stud. 

His best progeny was Group 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes winner Camphoratus. 

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