Lear Fan, who stood at the Beck family’s Gainesway Farm near Lexington, died July 7 of natural causes. The pensioned son of Roberto had begun his stallion duty at the farm when it was owned by founder John R. Gaines. He was 27.
A Kentucky-bred, Lear Fan developed into a prominent miler in Europe for owner Ahmed Salman. At 3, he won the Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-I) and was classic-placed, running third in the General Accident Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I).
Lear Fan competed in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) in 1984, finishing unplaced, but beaten only 3 1/2 lengths.
Not unexpectedly, Lear Fan’s best runners excelled on turf. Lear Fan’s daughter Ryafan earned an Eclipse Award, and other daughters Windsharp and Chopinina were Canadian champions.
Lear Fan’s overseas champions in Europe included Sikeston, Verveine, Lear White, Loup Solitaire, Tiraaz, Regal Access, and Melpomene.
During his career, Lear Fan sired 80 stakes winners, 526 winners, and the earners of $53 million. As a broodmare sire, Lear Fan is represented by Johar, who deadheated for the win in the 2003 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT), and Eclipse Award winner Kitten’s Joy.
Bred by C.P. Karpidas, Lear Fan was produced from the Lt. Stevens mare Wac.
