Grade I winner Stormello was euthanized Tuesday, April 26, because of complications from colic at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute near Lexington. The 7-year-old Stormy Atlantic stallion stood at Tom Simon’s Vinery near Lexington. His fee this year was $3,500.
Stormello was a leading 2-year-old of 2006. Racing as a homebred for the team of Alvin Eisman and trainer William Currin, Stormello won the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) and the Norfolk Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. II), and ran third in the Del Mar Futurity (gr. II) and the Best Pal Stakes (gr. II). He finished fifth in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I).
Placed on the 2007 Triple Crown trail, Stormello missed winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) by a nose and then ran fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I). He finished unplaced in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), won by Street Sense . Stormello raced once more, finishing third in the Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II) that June, prior to his retirement to Vinery.
Stormello was retired with earnings of $700,100. He won or placed in seven of 11 races.
“He was gorgeous,” Currin said. “His enormous heart for racing thrilled us. We look forward to seeing his babies on the racetrack.”
Stormello, who entered stud at Vinery in 2008, is represented by one unplaced 2-year-old starter from his first crop. He is represented by 36 juveniles and 25 yearlings.
Stormello was produced from the Carson City mare Wilshewed. He was raised at Catherine Parke’s Valkyre Stud near Georgetown, Ky.