Death of champion racehorse and Group 1-winning sire Elvstroem aged 24

The racing world is mourning the loss of champion racehorse Elvstroem. The globetrotting superstar died at the age of 24 last week in France, where he had been standing at stud since 2016. 

Elvstroem was purchased for A$300,000 (£154,000/€185,000) and became one of Australia's finest horses, racing 32 times for ten wins and more than A$5.7m in prize-money. 

Trained by Tony Vasil, his career highlights included victory in the 2003 Victoria Derby and the 2004 Caulfield Cup. He also placed fourth in the 2005 Melbourne Cup behind Makybe Diva. 

Elvstroem: top-class racehorseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Elvstroem's international career took him to the UAE, where he won the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes in 2005, Hong Kong, Britain and France.

Elvstroem was most frequently partnered by Nash Rawiller, with the pair securing four Group 1 wins in 17 races together. 

After being retired, Elvstroem began his stallion career at Blue Gum Stud, later moving to Haras du Petit Tellier, where he remained until his death.

His progeny include Group 1 winner Hucklebuck, who struck in the 2014 Group 1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington, as well as Group 2 scorer Carrara, also Group 1-placed when second to Starspangledbanner in the Caulfield Guineas, and Viking Legend, Group 1-placed in the Randwick Guineas, Champion Stakes and Victoria Derby. 

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