Illinois Stallion Unreal Zeal Dead

Unreal Zeal, a former leading Illinois sire, was euthanized in September because of the infirmities of old age. The 26-year-old son of Mr. Prospector stood in Illinois in 2000 at Horizon Farms near Barrington until that farm closed in 2003 and then was moved to Fairberry Farm near Waterloo, Ill.

Unreal Zeal, who topped the Illinois sires list by progeny earnings from 2001-04, sired 28 stakes winners and the earners of $22.8 million. His added-money winners include 2005 Illinois champion Lady Riss, graded stakes winner Unreal Turn, and such multiple stakes winners as First Shot and Unreal Madness.

Bred in Florida by Ben Banowitz, Unreal Zeal won six of 27 races and earned $131,090 for owner Jan Siegel. He captured the Fall Festival Sprint Championship Handicap and was four times stakes-placed.

Unreal Zeal began his stallion career in 1986 at Cashel Stud in Florida and later stood at other Florida farms.