Dynaformer, one of the most prolific international sires in recent decades, has been pensioned at Robert N. Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky., after experiencing a significant cardiac event in his stall Saturday, April 14. The 27-year-old son of Roberto is resting comfortably at the farm.
“Dynaformer’s heart condition is not uncommon in older horses,” said Three Chimneys resident veterinarian Dr. Jim Morehead. “Sometimes these conditions deteriorate and further breeding only increases the risk to the horse.”
Dynaformer covered 20 mares this year and none of the 13 examined have been pronounced in foal.
“We’re counting days on the other seven,” said Jen Roytz, marketing and communications director.
Best known for siring 2006 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Barbaro, Dynaformer gained a reputation as a highly versatile stallion. Dynaformer’s other 24 grade/group I winners include Brilliant Speed, Collect the Cash, Critical Eye, Dynaforce, Film Maker, Gozzip Girl, Harmonious, Perfect Drift, Purim, Riskaverse, Starrer, and Vergennes.
Dynaformer’s latest grade I winner, Karlovy Vary, won the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 7. Dynaformer also is the sire of 2012 graded stakes winners Casino Host and Dynamic Host.
Overseas, Dynaformer is represented by such champions as Emirates Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) winner Americain , Lucarno, Ocean Silk, Rainbow View, and Wiener Walzer.
“Dynaformer’s tough spirit will continue to influence our breed for many years to come,” Clay said. “He reminds us that looks aren’t everything, and the will to win is that intangible ingredient we are all striving to find. We are forever grateful to the Dynaformer syndicate for the privilege of managing his career, to Nathan Fox, who first saw his potential as a stallion, and to the breeders who supported him and found success with his offspring.”
Dynaformer began his stallion career at Fox’s Wafare Farm in Kentucky for a $5,000 fee. From his initial crop of 47 foals, 46 started and five became stakes winners including Blumin Affair, who ran second in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and third in the Kentucky Derby the following year. Dynaformer relocated to Three Chimneys for the 1995 breeding season and has been with the farm ever since. His fee reached $150,000 in 2007 and stayed there.
Dynaformer, who consistently ranked among the leading sires, has sired 129 stakes winners. He is represented by 10% stakes winners from foals, plus average earnings of more than $106,000 per starter and career progeny earnings of more than $110 million.
Produced from the grade I stakes-winning His Majesty mare Andover Way, Dynaformer raced as a homebred for Joseph Allen, winning the Jersey Derby (gr. II) and the Discovery Handicap (gr. III) and earning a career total of $671,207 under the care of trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
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