Millionaire Valley Crossing Dead

Iowa stallion Valley Crossing, a millionaire and grade I winner, died in September from complications following colic surgery. The 16-year-old son of Private Account stood the past breeding season at Fred and Wayne Feuring's Rockin' River Ranch near Winterset, Iowa, and covered some 40 mares.

A hard-nosed competitor trained by Richard Small, Valley Crossing won or placed in 19 stakes--10 of which were grade I events--for breeder/owner Robert E. Meyerhoff. He beat Devil His Due and Bertrando in the Philip H. Iselin Handicap (gr. I) and twice placed in that stakes. His other grade I stakes-placings included efforts in the Pimlico Special Handicap twice and in the Suburban Handicap. He retired with eight wins and 21 placings from 48 starts and earnings of $1,616,490.

Valley Crossing, who was produced from the His Majesty mare Chic and Sassy, began his stallion career at Bonita Farm in Maryland, where he sired his 11 stakes winners. They include Canadian grade II winner Slew Valley, who earned $767,040, plus Maryland Million winners Blazing Colors, Saratoga Friends, and My Navy. Valley Crossing stood the 2003 season at Tooth-Acres Farm in Arkansas.