Prospector Jones, a prominent New Mexico stallion, has died because of colic complications. The15-year-old son of Mr. Prospector stood at Richard Brunacini's Brunacini Farm near Belen, N.M.
Chief among Prospector Jones' 16 stakes winners were three-time state champion Ciento and four-time 2006 added-money winner Skirt Alert. Ciento, who won a total of 14 stakes, was New Mexico's champion 3-year-old male in 2001 and top older male the next two years. Skirt Alert's stakes wins last year included scores in the $196,000 New Mexico Cup Championship Fillies & Mares Stakes and two other six-figure stakes.
Prospector Jones' other stakes winners included Hat Creek, Cattleman Prospect, Lord Imajones, and Bubba Hyde. Prospector Jones, who topped the $1.1 million mark in 2006 progeny earnings, is represented by the earners of $6.1 million.
Bred in Kentucky by John and Betty Mabee, Prospector Jones cost $900,000 at the 1993 Keeneland July yearling sale, but was unraced. He was produced from the grade I-winning Nijinsky II mare Jeanne Jones.