Palace Music, whose son Cigar became the world's richest racehorse, was euthanized Jan. 7 at Rangal Park Stud in the Australian state of Victoria. The pensioned son of The Minstrel was 27.
Palace Music stood at Allen Paulson's Brookside Farms near Versailles, Ky., the year he sired Cigar. Bred and raced by Paulson, Cigar went on a winning rampage starting in 1994 that resulted in a record-tying 16 straight wins. Included in those scores was the 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) and the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996.
Palace Music was the leading sire by progeny earnings in 1995. Cigar, who earned a career total of $9,999,815, was both Horse of the Year and champion older male in 1995-96, plus a 1996 champion in Dubai. Unfortunately for Paulson, he proved sterile at stud. He resides at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington.
Bred in Kentucky by Mereworth Farm, Palace Music first raced for Nelson Bunker Hunt and Bruce McNall's Summa Stable. Paulson later came aboard as a part owner with Hunt.
Palace Music, who was produced from the Prince John mare Come My Prince, was both a grade/group I winner. He captured the 1984 Dubai Champion Stakes (Eng-I) over the top English filly Pebbles. His U.S. grade I win came in the 1986 John Henry Handicap (gr. IT) while trained by Charles Whittingham.
Palace Music finished second in both the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) in 1985-86, but was disqualified in the 1985 running and placed ninth.
Palace Music retired in 1986 with seven wins from 21 races and earnings of $918,700. In France, where he initially raced, he was a multiple group III winner.
Overall, Palace Music won or placed in 14 stakes.
Palace Music stood one season at Hunt's Bluegrass Farm near Lexington before heading to Brookside. During his career, he also stood in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. His 33 stakes winners included Australian champion Naturalism, plus Palace Line, a champion in South Africa and Singapore, as well as several other group I winners. Ric Chapman contributed to this story.