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Piz Badile Suffers Fatal Heart Attack

Classic-placed Piz Badile (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}) has died after suffering a heart attack while cantering last Monday. Alan Cooper, the Niarchos family's racing manager, confirmed the news to TDN Europe on Thursday. The G3 Ballysax S. winner and G1 Irish Derby runner-up was five.

“Very sadly he had a heart attack last Monday doing a regular canter under Gavin Ryan who landed safely on his feet,” Cooper said. “No previous indications that this would be likely to happen. He was a lovely individual who everyone liked.”

A Flaxman Stables homebred, the Donnacha O'Brien trainee was also placed in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup and the G2 Mooresbridge S. and made his final start a winning one in Dundalk's Listed Dubai Diamond S. in September. His record stands at 9-3-2-2 and $334,337 in earnings.

Piz Badile's dam That Which Is Not, a Listed winner in France who ran second in the G2 Prix Corrida, has also foaled the G3 Anglesey S. second Yosemite Valley (GB) (Shamardal). She was sold for €3.3 million to Coolmore at Goffs last November. His second dam Shiva (Jpn) (Hector Protector) won the 1999 Tattersalls Gold Cup, and her Kingmambo half-sister Light Shift triumphed in the 2007 edition of the G1 Oaks before foaling Piz Badile's dual Group 1 winning sire Ulysses to the cover of Galileo (Ire).

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Keeneland Trustee Louis Lee Haggin III Dies

Louis Lee Haggin III, hailing from an illustrious racing family and a longtime fixture at Keeneland, died Mar. 5, according to Keeneland Tuesday. He was 88.

A lifelong Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Haggin III managed his family's Sycamore Farm. A great, great grandson of legendary horseman James Ben Ali Haggin, who was also the founder of Elmendorf Farm, Haggin III's grandfather, Hal Price Headley, was among the founders of Keeneland. His father, Louis Lee Haggin II, served as the track's second president and subsequently its chairman.

“Keeneland mourns the loss of Louis Lee Haggin III, a beloved figure in Thoroughbred racing and breeding and a pivotal member of the Keeneland family. Mr. Haggin, who served as both a Director and Keeneland's longest-serving Trustee, leaves a legacy of leadership and service to Keeneland, the horse industry and the Central Kentucky community,” read a statement from Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “Mr. Haggin's roots at Keeneland run deep. He followed his father, former Keeneland President and Chairman Louis Lee Haggin II, in his commitment to preserve the best of Keeneland's rich traditions. From his mother, Alma Headley Haggin, daughter of Keeneland co-founder and inaugural President Hal Price Headley, who is credited with developing the “Keeneland look,” Mr. Haggin developed a love of the land and showcasing its beauty. He spent countless hours walking the grounds with esteemed landscape architects George Betsill and Robert Sanders and worked throughout his life to continue his mother's legacy at Keeneland. We do not make a decision about touching a branch of a tree on our grounds without thinking about Mr. Haggin and whether he would approve.

“He joined the Keeneland Board in 1971 and served as a Keeneland Trustee from 1980 until his retirement in 2015. Mr. Haggin was truly devoted to Keeneland and had a special love for this institution. He was a dear friend to Keeneland and to me, and we will miss his presence and guidance.

“Keeneland extends our love and deepest condolences to Mrs. Haggin, Louis, Ben, Gay and the entire Haggin family.”

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Group 1 Owner/Breeder Lord Rothschild Dies At 87

Successful owner/breeder Lord Jacob Rothschild, who found Group 1 riches as a co-owner with Nathaniel (Ire) among others, has passed away at the age of 87 earlier this week, according to multiple reports.

The fourth Baron Rothschild, OM, was prominent in both banking and finance, and also was active on the art scene. The chairman of the trustees of the National Gallery from 1985 to 1991, he operated his bloodstock interests out of Waddesdon Stud in Buckinghamshire with his late wife Serena. Later appointed the chairman of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Rothschild partnered with the National Trust and turned Waddesdon Manor into a historical landmark open to the public housing an extensive art collection.

Many luminaries of the turf have carried the navy and yellow silks to glory, including Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who won the 2019 G1 Prix de Diane and 2014 G1 Pretty Polly S. victress Thistle Bird (GB) (Selkirk). In Nathaniel's case, his dam, G3 Musidora S. heroine Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk), was purchased privately after delivering six stakes winners. During her time at stud for Rothschild, she left both the now-Newsells Park Stud-based Group 1 sire Nathaniel, who won the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S., as well as the G1 Eclipse S. and Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). The last-named mare won the G1 Irish Oaks. Pounced (Rahy) also represented Rothschild when taking the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in 2009.

Rothschild was pre-deceased by his wife, who died in 2019. He is survived by his son Nathaniel, who is now the fifth Baron Rothschild, and three daughters–Hannah, Beth, and Emily and their families.

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Trainer Philip Oliver Passes Away

Philip Oliver died Feb. 19 in Indiantown, Florida, according to a press release from BBN racing Wednesday. Born on June 6, 1970, he is survived by his wife, Victoria Oliver, brother Chris Oliver, sister Toni Blinkhorn, and his mother Alison Oliver. Oliver was preceded in death by his father, Alan.

Oliver, who was born and raised in Chipping Norton, England, began riding at the age of three years old. Prior to moving to the U.S. at the age of 18, he worked for champion jump jockeys and trainers, Stan Miller and Lester Piggott. He began his U.S. training career as an assistant with Ian Jory and was instrumental in the development of Video Ranger and Best Pal.

He subsequently served as an assistant trainer to Bruce Headley-who was responsible for champion Bertrando–and Elliott Walden, who conditioned Menifee, Victory Gallop, and Distorted Humor.

In 1999, Phil launched his career as a trainer, achieving his own success with a bevy of Grade I/graded stakes winners, including Autonomy, Closing Range, First Lieutenant, Last Full Measure, and Middie. Along with his career with horses, he was an avid reader and had a passion for hunting and his dogs.

“Philip was a kind and compassionate soul, known for his warm smile and humor. He touched the lives of many with his charismatic personality. His departure leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him,” reads a release from the family.

“In his lifetime, Philip Oliver made a lasting impact on those around him, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and kindness. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his soul rest in peace, and his memory continue to inspire and guide us in the years to come.”

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held in Lexington, Kentucky in April on a date to be determined shortly.

Donations can be made to Dunklin Memorial Church (https://www.dunklin.org/donate ) or The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (https://donorbox.org/trf-make-a-gift).

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