Ascot Knight, one of Canada's top stallions for a number of years, was euthanized Feb. 8 due to declining health. He was 24. He had been pensioned from stallion duty in January at the Taylor family's Windfields Farm near Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. In 2007, he covered 13 mares. He is buried in the cemetery with such farm greats as Windfields, Northern Dancer, and Vice Regent.
A son of Danzig, Ascot Knight has sired 33 stakes winners and the earners of $28.4 million. His prominent Canadian runners include champion Pennyhill Park and classic-winning fillies Plenty of Sugar and Pinafore Park.
Ascot Knight's influence also extended to the U.S. Ascot Knight's son, Influent, was one of the top turf runners of 1997, winning five graded stakes, two of which were grade I events. Pennyhill Park and Plenty of Sugar also experienced graded success in the U.S., as did another daughter, Hey Hazel.
Ascot Knight's son Bahamian Knight captured the 1996 Derby Italiano (It-I).
Ascot Knight proved a dominant force last year, with his runners racing over synthetic surfaces. His progeny earning over those surfaces totaled $1.1 million.
Bred in Ontario, Canada, by R.M. Anderson, Ascot Knight was a stakes winner in England for Sheikh Maktoum of Gainsborough Farm. He placed in four group stakes and earned a career total of $200,232.
Ascot Knight, who was out of the Better Bee mare Bambee T. T., is represented this year by 10 juveniles and two yearlings.