Smart Strike, a two-time champion sire in North America, was euthanized March 25 at Lane's End Farm near Lexington, succumbing to a case of laminitis.
The 23-year-old stallion has had a standout career at stud, to date siring 113 stakes winners, 12 champions, four Breeders' Cup winners, and two classic victors.
Smart Strike had been doing well for his age, but recently took a turn for the worse.
"We are very saddened by the loss of Smart Strike." said William S. Farish, owner of Lane's End Farm. "He has been one of our flagship stallions for many years. He was an exceptional sire and his influence on the breed will be felt for a long time. I want to thank Sam-Son Farm for entrusting us with his stallion career, as well as the other shareholders and breeders (who) have supported him."
Smart Strike was bred and raced by Sam-Son Farm, and was a multiple graded stakes winner. The highlight of his racing career was at Monmouth Park in 1996, when he won the Philip H. Iselin Handicap (gr. I) by 2 1/4 lengths.
A son of the champion sire Mr. Prospector, Smart Strike was out of the Canadian Hall of Fame mare Classy 'n Smart.
His stud career ranks among the sport's best on the track and in the sales ring. Retired from racing in 1997, he is credited with $118,652,193 million in progeny earnings to date. His offspring include two-time Horse of the Year and leading sire Curlin and other notable names such as English Channel , Lookin At Lucky , and My Miss Aurelia.
He will be buried at Lane's End Farm.
Smart Strike
Courtesy Lane's End/Lee Thomas