Prominent English Broodmare Colorspin Dies

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Colorspin, a major producer for Meon Valley Stud in England, died Aug. 13 at age 29.

Bred in France by Meon Valley, Colorspin (High Top–Reprocolor, by Jimmy Reppin) was a two-time stakes winner, with her biggest score coming in the 1986 Gilltown Stud Irish Oaks (Ire-I) for Helena Springfield Ltd.

Colorspin produced a remarkable number of foals, 16, of which Opera House, Kayf Tara, and Zee Zee Top were group I winners.

"She leaves an outstanding legacy, and we have lots more to look forward to with Zee Zee Top and her daughter Izzi Top," Meon Valley owner Mark Weinfeld told the Racing Post. "Her son Kayf Tara has established himself as a leading National Hunt sire, and Opera House has also been a success at stud."

Opera House, by Sadler's Wells, was a European champion as well as a champion in England, Ireland, and France. His major win came in the 1993 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Eng-I). Opera House contested the 1993 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), finishing sixth.

Kayf Tara, a long-distance specialist, also was a European champion and one in England and France. A full brother to Opera House, Kayf Tara won the Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-I) and the same race again when it was run as the Gold Cup.

Zee Zee Top, by Zafonic, scored her major win in the Prix de l'Opera Casino Barriere d'Enghien Les Bains (Fr-I). Izzi Top, by Pivotal, also was group I winner, capturing the Barclays Bank Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland July 1.

Another of Colorspin’s daughters, Spinning The Yarn, is the dam of Irish champion Necklace.

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