Gainesway Farm stallion Mr. Greeley was euthanized early Nov. 30. The 18-year-old son of Gone West was diagnosed with laminitis several weeks ago. His condition recently deteriorated.
“All of us at Gainesway are saddened at the loss of a great stallion,” said Antony Beck, president of Gainesway near Lexington. “He was not only a great stallion, but a great horse.”
Racing for William J. Condren and Joseph Cornacchia, Mr. Greeley was a multiple winner at 2, but showed extraordinary consistency at 3, winning the Lafayette Stakes (gr. III), the Swale Stakes (gr. III), and the Spectacular Bid Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. III) and placing in four graded events, including the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I). He retired at the end of his 3-year-old campaign with a record of five wins and six seconds from 16 starts and earnings of $474,452. He was trained by Nick Zito.
As a stallion, Mr. Greeley has been represented by such males as El Corredor, winner of the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I), and other grade I winner Whywhywhy, plus English group I winner Reel Buddy. Mr. Greeley’s daughters are led by European champion and classic winner Finsceal Beo and grade I winners Nonsuch Bay and Celtic Melody.
Herman Sarkowsky was the breeder of Kentucky-bred Mr. Greeley, whose stakes-winning half sister Majestic Legend is the granddam of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner and champion Street Sense. Mr. Greeley was produced from the Reviewer mare Long Legend.
In 2010, Mr. Greeley covered 128 mares, with 86% of those mares reported to have conceived.
Mr. Greeley will be buried at Gainesway.