Pearl Bloodstock's Dunaden passes away

It is with great sadness that we announce triple Gr.1 winner Dunaden - best known for giving Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani's Pearl Bloodstock victory in Australia's most famous race, the Melbourne Cup - has died aged 13 at Overbury Stud due to complications following a paddock accident.

Purchased privately as a four-year-old by David Redvers on behalf of Pearl Bloodstock in 2010, Dunaden would go on to win multiple top-level prizes, including the Melbourne Cup in 2011. His other Gr.1 wins were the Hong Kong Vase (on his next start after Flemington) and the following year's Caulfield Cup.

During seven seasons Dunaden ran 46 times, winning 10 races and placed a further 19 times. Dunaden was trained initially by Richard Gibson before the trainer's move to Hong Kong, and was then handled for the remainder of his career by Mikel Delzangles. He was rated 130 by Timeform and won more than £5,000,000 in prize money.

Dunaden retired from racing to stand at Overbury Stud in Gloucestershire in 2015.

Dunaden's first crop of 3yo's are running in 2019 and are represented, amongst others, by Ranch Hand, who made it two from two when winning impressively on Monday for Andrew Balding.

David Redvers, Sheikh Fahad's Racing Manger said:

‚"Dunaden was a horse of iron constitution with the most exceptional will to win. He gave Sheikh Fahad some fantastic days and was largely responsible for the wider Qatari family becoming involved in horseracing.

He was the most intelligent thoroughbred I have ever been involved with and we are all incredibly saddened by his death.

I would like to thank Simon Sweeting and his team at Overbury Stud for the job they have done with the horse, particularly over the last few days.‚"

Sheikh Fahad said:

‚"Dunaden was a horse of a lifetime. Winning the Melbourne Cup is a day I will never forget. He was pure class consistent, strong and incredibly competitive. QIPCO's initial increase in investment in racing is largely down to Dunaden's success. It is a terrible loss.‚"

Simon Sweeting, Manager of Overbury Stud said:

‚"It was a huge honour to have stood Dunaden at Overbury Stud. I was delighted to have been involved with him and am very sad to have lost him so early.‚"

It has been an extremely trying few days for Qatar Racing/Pearl Bloodstock as we also lost dual Gr.1 winner and broodmare Just The Judge following complications post-colic surgery.