BALLYLINCH STUD announced on Tuesday morning that Soviet Star (by Nureyev) died peacefully in his paddock at the age of 30.
He raced in the colours of his breeder Sheikh Mohammed, and he was one of only two colts to defeat the great filly miler Miesque, a feat he achieved when beating her by a head in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.
His record of eight wins and four seconds, from 14 starts, also included victories in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas), Group 1 Sussex Stakes, Group 1 Prix de la Foret, and the Group 1 July Cup.
He retired to Dalham Hall Stud in 1989, went to Japan after six seasons in Newmarket, did one shuttle term in New Zealand, from which he got the five times international Group 1 standout Starcraft and the New Zealand Group 1 scorer Russian Pearl, and then moved to Ballylinch Stud in 2000.
He was semi-retired in recent seasons, and his final foal will arrive in 2015, the result of a single covering this year.
In addition to his pair of New Zealand-bred stars, Soviet Star was also the sire of the Group/Grade 1 winners Askhalani, Eva's Request, Limpid, Pressing, Soviet Line, and Starborough.
The notable winners sired by his sons include the Group/Grade 1 scorers Ashkal Way, Star Witness, and We Can Say It Now, the leading sprinter Overdose, the high-class French mare Whortleberry, and the multiple Scandinavian champion Appel Au Maitre.
Those produced from his daughters include the five times Group 1 mile star Soviet Song, the Group 1 winning sprinter Wizz Kid, and the German classic scorer Silvester Lady.
Like all good flat stallions, Soviet Star also got winners under National Hunt rules, and his standout performer was Tiutchev who completed a Grade 1 four-timer, taking the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, the Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown, and two editions of the Ascot Chase.
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