Kalanisi, U.S. champion turf male of 2000 after winning that year's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), died Friday at the age of 27 at Boardsmill Stud in County Meath, Ireland.
Kalanisi had stood at Boardsmill since 2008 following his acquisition by the Flood family from owner-breeder the Aga Khan. He originally stood at his breeder's Gilltown Stud having retired there in 2002. The son of Doyoun had been pensioned from stud duties at Boardsmill since 2020 due to fertility issues.
Kalanisi's biggest victories came in 2000 in the Champion Stakes (G1) at Newmarket, in which he defeated Montjeu in a thrilling finish, and the Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs en route to the Eclipse Award in his division. He was ridden by Johnny Murtagh on both occasions for trainer Sir Michael Stoute. Earlier in his career, he was trained by Luca Cumani.
Kalanisi's two most memorable races were in defeat where he was involved in titanic battles with 'The Iron Horse' Giant's Causeway in the 2000 Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown and Juddomonte International (G1) at York. He came out runner-up on both occasions but gained loads of admirers for his never say die attitude in both enthralling contests. He also landed the Cartier Award as Europe's champion older horse at the end of the season.
Overall, Kalanisi was never unplaced in 11 career starts as he retired with a 6-4-1 record and more than $2.1 million in purse earnings.
Kalanisi sired a number of stakes winners on the flat from his early crops conceived at Gilltown and a Royal Ascot winner in the shape of Missoula, but it was over jumps where his offspring really flourished. Triumph Hurdle and Champion Hurdle Katchit came from his first crop and he added a number of other high profile Jumps winners from his Boardsmill crops.
More recently, daughters of Kalanisi have been flying the flag for him with great success as broodmares. Last year's Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Aristia was a notable top-level success for him as was Roxoterra, a Group 1 winner in Brazil,
“We are sad to announce the passing of our stalwart sire Kalanisi, who died suddenly in his paddock this week,” William and John Flood said in a statement on the farm's website. “He had been enjoying his well-earned retirement in his paddock here for the past few years. Kalanisi was a real favorite with everyone in the yard and with visitors, too. He was a huge attraction with both racing fans and breeders during the ITM Stallion Trail every year. He has a final crop of 25 3-year-olds and he has three representatives of this crop on offer at both the Goffs Arkle Sale and also at the Tattersalls Derby Sale.”
Kalanisi was produced by the Green Dancer mare Kalamba.
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