Banshee Breeze and Her Storm Cat Colt Dead

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Eclipse Award winner Banshee Breeze and her newborn Storm Cat colt died Wednesday at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary clinic near Lexington. Boarded at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., Banshee Breeze was taken to the clinic April 8 with a torsion of the uterus. She underwent surgery that afternoon, and additional surgery the following day. The colt, born 19 days premature, was delivered by way of a Caesarean section the second day. The condition of both mare and foal deteriorated, and Banshee Breeze was euthanized two days later. The colt died shortly after.

Six-year-old Banshee Breeze was owned by her breeder, Jim Tafel, in partnership with Richard Santulli and George Prussin's Jayeff B Stable. The outfit bought an interest in the mare shortly before the 1998 Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I). Banshee Breeze ran second in the Distaff and second in the race the following year. She was champion 3-year-old filly in 1998 and runner-up for top older female the following year.

Banshee Breeze (Unbridled -- Banshee Winds, by Known Fact) won 10 races and placed in seven others from 18 starts. All eight of her stakes wins came in graded stakes, with her grade I triumphs coming in the Coaching Club American Oaks, Three Chimneys Spinster Stakes, Apple Blossom Handicap, Alabama Stakes, and Go for Wand Handicap. Trained by Carl Nafzger, Banshee Breeze earned $2,784,798.

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