Kentucky Stallion Jambalaya Jazz Killed by Lightning

John C. Oxley's Jambalaya Jazz, a 13-year-old stallion standing at Charles Nuckols Jr. and Sons' Nuckols Farm near Midway, Ky., was killed by lightning in his paddock June 27.

"It happened a little after 5:00 that afternoon," said a farm representative. "There was one clap of thunder, and one bolt of lightning."

Bred in Kentucky by James and Jody Phillips of Darby Dan Farm, Jambalaya Jazz was a multiple graded stakes winner for Oxley. He won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. III) as a 2-year-old in 1994 and the Sea O Erin Handicap (gr. III) at four.

As 3-year-old, Jambalaya Jazz ran third to winner Thunder Gulch in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II). He tried Thunder Gulch again in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), but finished unplaced in that colt's victory. Jambalaya Jazz retired with nine wins from 28 starts, five graded stakes-placings, and earnings of $503,201 for trainer John Ward Jr.

Jambalaya Jazz sired 2005 stakes winner Kaylan's Rose, plus earlier added-money winners Gumbo Love and Jazzy J J. Jambalaya Jazz (Dixieland Band--Glorious Morning, by Graustark) will be buried at Oxley's Fawn Leap Farm near Midway.