The extraordinary achievements of this superstar 1995 Belgian Warmblood mare featured many times over the years on these pages. Sapphire (19) was by Darco out of the Hedjaz (Selle Francais) mare Idjaz C.

Sapphire was partnered throughout her glittering career by top American rider McLain Ward and was always looked after by Ward’s manager, Portmarnock native Lee McKeever.

Ward announced on Facebook: “With a very heavy heart, I have to share that Sara (Sapphire) has passed away this morning due to complications from colic. Our entire Castle Hill family and every person she has touched, has lost a great friend. Thank you Sara not just for all the dreams you made come true for simply for being who you were. You always will be my champion in every way.”

Former American show jumping chef d’equipe George Morris paid tribute to her this week saying: “Sapphire epitomised a great mare, and if you have a great mare, you have a great horse. She was the anchor of so many US teams; she had the scope, she was careful. I can’t say enough good things about her. She was one of the greatest horses of the century.”

Retired from the sport in 2012, Sapphire had been Ward’s mount since her arrival to the States from Europe 10 years earlier.

Together the pair competed in and won two team gold Olympic medals in 2004 and 2008, two World Equestrian Games including winning team silver in 2006, competed in six World Cup finals, won the 2009 CN Million Dollar International Spruce Meadows Masters and the 2010 HITS Pfizer Million Dollar Grand Prix as well as back-to-back wins in the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and World Cup qualifiers at the Hampton Classic in 2009 and 2010.

Other notable wins were the Grand Prix of Devon in 2007 and 2009, runner-up at the 2009 Rolex/FEI World Cup final in Las Vegas as well as winning the President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show in 2008 and 2010. Sapphire and Ward also won the 2010 La Baule Grand Prix and the 2010 Rome Grand Prix. Sapphire sustained a leg injury in March 2011 that sidelined her for that season while Ward then missed much of 2012 after a serious knee accident.

There are two Sapphire clones Kara BC and Kidjaz BC who turn four this year. Kidjaz has produced a Capone foal by embryo transfer. Surrogate mares also produced a filly by Heartbreaker and colt by Presley Boy last year.