South African Stallion Labeeb Dead

Grade I winner Labeeb died May 22 while standing his second season at Mick Goss' Summerhill Stud in South Africa.

The 14-year-old son of Lear Fan is believed to have suffered an aneurysm leading to internal hemorrhaging. Labeeb, who started his stallion career at Sheikh Maktoum's Gainsborough Stud near Versailles, Ky., stood at Summerhill under the Gainsborough banner.

Bred in Great Britain by Brick Kiln Stud and Lariston Apartments, Labeeb was an accomplished runner in France for Sheikh Maktoum's brother, Sheikh Mohammed, before embarking on a highly successful career for Sheikh Maktoum in North America. Group I-placed in France, Labeeb won seven of 12 North American races, starting out with a score in the 1995 Crown Royal Hollywood Derby (gr. IT). He won five additional stakes, four of which were graded, and placed in two grade I stakes, including the 1998 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT). For his career, Labeeb captured eight of 20 starts and earned $1,464,950.

Labeeb is represented by four stakes winners, including La Reason, whose big win came in the 2004 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II). La Reason also won this year's Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Another of Labeeb's added-money winners, Kabeeb, captured the important Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Woodbine.

Produced from Irish stakes winner Lady Blackfoot (by Prince Tenderfoot), Labeeb was a full or half-brother to three stakes winners, including Irish champion Alrassaam and grade II winner Fanmore.