Hussonet, sire of 30 grade I or group I winners and 20 champions, died from a stroke the morning of March 21 at Cornerstone Stud in Angaston, South Australia. The Kentucky-bred son of Mr. Prospector, a leading sire in Australia and Chile, was 25.
Hussonet's top offspring include 2008 Australian Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler, 2003 Chilean Horse of the Year and U.S. grade I winner Wild Spirit, and Chilean champion Host, also a U.S. grade I winner.
Hussonet's 19 crops of racing age yielded 97 black-type winners, 61 graded or group winners, and earned more than $63.2 million, according to Jockey Club statistics. He was Chile's leading sire in 2003, 2005, and 2006, and Australia leading second-season sire in 2007-08.
"He has had an amazing life ... racing in the (United States) and standing at stud in South America (Haras de Pirque in Chile), transferring to Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales in 2003, (and) spending the past five years at Cornerstone Stud," a press release from the farm said.
Hussonet was bred by Peter Brant and Julian Schnabel from 1987 champion 3-year-old filly Sacahuista, a daughter of Raja Baba. Trained by Bill Mott for Sheikh Mohammed, he placed in all seven starts. He won two races and finished third in the 1994 Count Fleet Stakes and 1993 Safe Ground Stakes, both at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Hussonet was also an effective broodmare sire. His daughters produced 27 graded or group winners, including six champions in Chile, Brazil, and South Africa, and recent Australian group I winner Extreme Choice.
"His legacy will continue through his daughters and sons at stud. His reputation as a top-class broodmare sire is quickly gaining momentum," the release from the Cornerstone said. "(While he) lived to a great age of 25, it is always difficult saying goodbye to a legend who was so dear to all our hearts here at Cornerstone."
