Sad news from Yarraman Park Stud this week with the passing of Golden Slipper winner Catbird, who was put down on Saturday after failing to recover from serious leg complications due to post surgical laminitis.
Catbird was retired to Yarraman Park in 2000 following a stellar career under the care of popular country trainer Frank Cleary that netted five wins and $1.7 million in prizemoney for his owner Ken Jones.
The powerful son of Danehill (USA) is best remembered for winning the 1999 Group One STC Golden Slipper Stakes in which he defeated Align and Shogun Lodge, providing a deserved victory for his connections, who had failed narrowly to win the race in 1992 with popular speedster Clan O’Sullivan.
“Catbird was a wonderful horse with a delightful temperament and will be sadly missed by everyone who had anything to do with him,” said Arthur Mitchell.
“Catbird meant a lot to Ken Jones and his family and also Merlyn Connolly, Mr Jones’ bloodstock manager, with whom Yarraman Park have had a long and enjoyable relationship for many years.”
The leading first season sire by individual winners in the 2003/2004 season with 15 to his credit, Catbird went right on with the job in subsequent years, his overall record now boasting close to 190 winners with progeny earnings in excess of $11.1 million.
Catbird is the sire of 25 stakes horses led by Group One WATC Derby winner Cat’s Fun, Group Two STC Todman Stakes winner Diego Garcia and Group Three winners Catechuchu, Collate and Cateclipse, plus rising Hong Kong based star Green Birdie.
Catbird will have two more crops of foals to be sold at major sales in 2008 and 2009, with some outstanding weanlings on the ground and 150 mares covered by him last season.
For further information contact Arthur Mitchell 0412 495 687 or Harry Mitchell 0412 280 576 or visit www.yarramanpark.com.au
