On the same day the career of Chautauqua has been celebrated with a farewell at Flemington, Coolmore Stud has announced the death of the sprinter’s sire Encosta De Lago.
A multiple champion sire and the reigning champion broodmare sire, Encosta De Lago is one of the greatest Australian-bred sires.
He produced 26 Gr1 winners worldwide headed by six-time elite winner Chautauqua, the one-time highest rated sprinter in the world.
Among Encosta De Lago’s other Gr1 winners are Racing To Win, Alinghi and English.
The 25-year-old was retired from stud duties two years ago and spent his final days at Coolmore Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley.
“‘Encosta’ will be greatly missed by all who dealt with him at Coolmore over the last 14 years,” Coolmore Australia principal Tom Magnier told Just Horse Racing.com.
“He was a horse with a beautiful nature and we were incredibly lucky to have him.
“His legacy will live on through his sire line descendants like Zoustar and Rubick, as well as through his daughters, who have already made him champion broodmare sire.
He enjoyed plenty of success with his South African based runners and from 32 runners in this country, Encosta De Lago has been represented by 25 winners – a total which includes 8 stakes performers.
Encosta De Lago’s best local representatives include champion 2yo Delago Deluxe and Derby winner Dan De Lago – with both colts having subsequently been retired to stud, in Australia and South Africa respectively. Their paternal half brother, Safwan, was another decent local performer in this country, with the gelding’s best performances including a memorable dead heat in the Gr2 Betting World 1900 of 2011.
Another classy performer, brilliant 2yo and Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Merlene De Lago, also returned to Australia for stud du
