BLUE Bresil, one of the leading National Hunt stallions, has died at Glenview Stud in Fermoy, Co Cork. He was 20 years of age.

He sired 23 individual blacktype winners over jumps, including eight Grade 1 winners, most notably the Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill in Britain and L’Autonomie in France.

Among his other notable performers are Royal Pagaille, Blue Lord, Mick Jazz, Inthepocket, Good Land and Redemption Day. Initially standing at Haras de la Croix Sonnet in France, Blue Bresil later moved to Yorton Farm in 2016, where he remained until 2019 before joining Glenview Stud for the 2020 breeding season.

A statement issued by Glenview Stud said: "Since joining the Glenview Stud roster in 2020, Blue Bresil’s remarkable rise through the stallion ranks saw him attract consistently high-quality books of mares. His first Irish crop of four-year-olds has begun to make a significant impact this season, with exceptional performances from Coutach, Samba Train, Blue Waters, Laguna Beach, Minella Marathon and juvenile hurdle winner Aqua Blue, among others.

"We would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported him throughout his career, with special thanks to the Glenview Stud staff for their exceptional care and dedication. We also extend our gratitude to Yorton Farm for managing his career in the UK with such professionalism.

"Blue Bresil will be greatly missed by everyone at Glenview and Rathbarry Studs, but his legacy will live on through his progeny. He leaves his stamp as one of the leading National Hunt stallions of his time."

By Smadoun Blue Bresil was bred by Jean-Louis Pariente who sold him for just €35,000. He told France Galop: “From the outset, his new connections said he was a crack. Despite his monumental physique, he won at two at just his second start. At three, he finished on the podium in the Prix Noailles and Prix Hocquart, before running in the Jockey Club and the Arc.

"He then made his jumping debut straight in a Group race at Auteuil against a champion of the calibre of Long Run, and finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length! He later finished second twice more at that level over jumps. With a more conventional programme, I think Blue Bresil would have had a very different racing career. He was a good jumper, but also a horse with real Flat class and the courage of his family.”

The breeder bought him back for €76,000 and syndicated him. "From the outset, his progeny showed quality. Three or four years later, we sold him to Britain. And the British later sold him to Ireland. Inevitably, when I see how his stallion career developed I slightly regret having sold him a second time! French mares made his success."