Ascot Knight, one of Canada's top stallions for years, has been pensioned after 19 years at stud because of declining health. He stood at the Taylor family's Windfields Farm near Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. He covered 13 mares in 2007 and was scheduled to stand this year for $2,500 (Canadian funds).
A 24-year-old 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.
Across the pond, Ascot Knight's son, Bahamian Knight, captured the 1996 Derby Italiano (It-I).
Ascot Knight proved a dominant force this year with his runners racing over synthetic surfaces. His progeny earned $1.1 million.
Bred in Ontario, Canada, by R.M. Anderson and a $1.4 million Keeneland July yearling, 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 is out of the Better Bee mare Bambee T. T., is represented this year by 10 juveniles and two yearlings.