Helenus, the sire of 2012 Australian Derby winner Ethiopia, has died from complications during surgery.

The winner of three Group One races, the 2002 Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby and the 2003 Rosehill Guineas, was also the sire of Cedarberg, winner of the 2011 BMW.

Like Cedarberg, who collapsed and died after a track gallop in August 2011, Ethiopia is trained by Pat Carey for his breeder Trevor Delroy of Western Australia's Wyadup Valley Farm.

Helenus, who was trained by Leon Corstens, stood in WA until taking up stallion duties at Wattle Grove in NSW in 2011.

His five wins were all at Group level and his track earnings were more than $2.1 million.