Rahy, a prominent sire and broodmare sire, died Sept. 22 at Robert N. Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky. The son of Blushing Groom out of Eclipse Award and Sovereign Award winner Glorious Song (by Halo) was 26.
Rahy was one of the farm’s flagship stallions, beginning his stud career at Three Chimneys in 1990 for a fee of $15,000. His stud fee reached as high as $100,000 during a career in which he emerged as a leading international sire and later as a highly sought-after broodmare sire.
Due to declining fertility, Rahy was pensioned in 2009. He remained at the farm’s stallion division and was a fan favorite even in retirement.
“Rahy was a cornerstone in the development of Three Chimneys,” Clay said. “He was a little horse with a lot of heart. We owe him so much. We will be forever grateful to Sheikh Maktoum for giving us the opportunity to stand Rahy, and to the Maktoum family for partnering with us in developing his magnificent stud career.”
Puchased by Gainsborough Stud Management for $2 million at the 1986 Keeneland July yearling sale, Rahy began his racing career in Europe with trainer Sir Michael Stoute, winning the Sirenia Stakes and running second in the Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I). As a 4-year-old he was transferred to Neil Drysdale in California and won three of six starts, including the Bel Air Handicap (gr. II) by 10 lengths.
Upon his retirement from racing, Three Chimneys purchased a 50% interest in Rahy and stood him in partnership with the Maktoum family for the duration of his career.
“Rahy is one of the most important stallions we’ve had,” Three Chimneys president Case Clay said. “As a stallion, he had a profound and lasting impact on the breed and was integral to the development and success of Three Chimneys. He was truly a world-class international sire.”
In a career that spanned 19 years, Rahy sired 91 stakes winners, including 13 grade/group I winners and 14 millionaires. His progeny have accumulated nearly $97 million in worldwide earnings. His offspring’s $109,470 average earnings per starter puts him in the top one-half of 1% of all sires.
Some of his most notable offspring include European champion and 2001 Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner Fantastic Light, Hall of Famer and 11-time grade I winner Serena's Song, champion Dreaming of Anna, multiple grade II winner and track record-setter Lewis Michael , English champion Noverre, and multiple group I winner Rio De La Plata.
As a broodmare sire, Rahy is represented by more than 100 stakes winners including Giant's Causeway , Rutherienne, and Life At Ten.
“He was the ultimate ‘great things come in small packages’ kind of horse,” stallion manager Sandy Hatfield said. “He kicked harder and faster than any of the other stallions, but that definitely wasn’t a reason not to love him. I have so much respect for that horse. We’ll miss him a lot.”
Lewis Michael, a full brother to champion Dreaming of Anna, stands at Three Chimneys. Foals from his first crop are yearlings.
Rahy will be buried at Three Chimneys. Visitors are welcome either by appointment or during the farm’s annual fall open house, scheduled for Nov. 2 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.