As the breeding season for 2012 starts to wind down,for one farm in the Hunter Valley the season end has come sooner than expected following the premature death of one of there stallions. Cangon Stud Farm, situated in the Lower Hunter Valley at Dungog, has reported, the untimely death of there newly imported stallion Spartacus (IRE).

Standing his first Australian season at stud, the 12 year old Spartacus was found dead in his paddock in the early hours of the 25th.November. After a lenglthy post mortum, it was discovered that he died as a result of complications arising from a ruptured aorta.

This has come as a terrible shock to managment and staff of Cangon Stud Farm.The outstanding looking son of Danhill, and multiple Group One winning 2 year old,was very well received by breeders during the 2012 season, and had proven to be a very valuable addition to the Cangon stallion ranks.He had attracted mares from as fare away as Victoria and Queensland,and had fitted so well into the serene enviroment that is Cangon Stud Farm.

Says, Jaime Mackay, Cangon Stud Master, " It has been a huge loss for all of us as he has been so well received by breeders as he had so much to offer.We now look forward to the arrival of his foals in 2013. With his passing the search has already started to find a suitable replacment for next season, who, like Spartacus ,I can offer to my clients a quality preformer on the track, and a true value for money sire."

Spartacus was born in Ireland and won his two Group One races in Ireland and Italy.After standing his first two seasons in Ireland ,he shuttled to New Zealand, where he stood at The Oaks Stud in Cambridge, one of New Zealands leading stud farms.Success there soon followed as he was crowned leading first and second season leading sire, before being sold to Cangon Stud Farm earlier this year.

Visit Cangon Stud Farm's Website here