Snow Chief's Dam, Miss Snowflake, Dead

Miss Snowflake, dam of champion and classic winner Snow Chief, died April 2 in her paddock after foaling a Talk Is Money colt the previous night at Jim FitzGerald's Knockgriffin Farm near Lexington.

"The foaling went fine, but she hemorrhaged after," said FitzGerald, who owned the 26-year-old mare in partnership. "She was a tough mare and in fabulous condition. Even at her age, when she was out in a field, she was tough to catch."

Miss Snowflake's first foal, California-bred Snow Chief, turned out to be her best. Raced by his breeder, Carl Grinstead, and Ben Rochelle, Snow Chief disappointed as the 1986 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite, then rebounded to win the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). He bypassed the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and was returned to trainer Mel Stute's California barn. Bred in the name of Blue Diamond Ranch, Snow Chief was champion 3-year-old male and retired with $3,383,210 in earnings.

Miss Snowflake (Snow Sporting--Bold Jewel, by Any Time Now) was bred by Blue Diamond and raced for Grinstead, winning one of five races. As a broodmare, she produced 14 named foals, five of which won, including additional stakes winner Mujaazif.

FitzGerald bought Miss Snowflake (in foal to Bigstone) at the 1996 Tattersalls December mixed sale for $70,602. Her Talk Is Money colt is on a nurse mare.