#silent achiever

[racinglegends]

Sad news from New Zealand as Horse of the Year and champion stallion O'Reilly has died.

"O'Reilly, 21, was found dead in his paddock today [Thursday, 31 December 2014], Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick believing he died of a burst aorta, his death mercilessly quick just like his incredibly short racing career." Read more here.

He has sired stars such as 2007 Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly, 2011 Australian Derby and Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker, 2012 New Zealand Derby, 2014 New Zealand Stakes and New Zealand Derby winner Silent Achiever, and 2012 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and 2013 + 2014 Doncaster Handicap winner Sacred Falls.

Rest In Peace, moviestar. 1993 - 2014

Photo: Waikato Stud O'Reilly at Waikato Stud in 2012

[racinglegends]

Possible 2014 Melbourne Cup contender Silent Achiever and trainer Roger James with the Cup's trophy, September 2014.

The Cup will be run on the first Tuesday in November 2014.

Photo: Michael Klein

[racinglegends]

Dundeel retires as a winner. "It’s A Dundeel has finished his racing career with an impressive victory in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon. It’s A Dundeel was positioned just off the lead by jockey James McDonald and the High Chapparal entire was too good in the final stages of the race to score his sixth Group 1 win from Sacred Falls and Silent Achiever."

Happy retirement, champ! He will stand at Arrowfield Stud

Photo: X