The Groom Is Red and Yankee Victor, both grade I winners in New York, died in the Republic of Korea, according to the Horse Racing in Korea blog. The Groom Is Red was euthanized Jan. 27 following a paddock accident, and Yankee Victor succumbed to colic Feb. 1. The two 15-year-old stallions stood at the Korean Racing Association Jeju Stud Farm.
The Groom Is Red (Runaway Groom—Sheena’s Gold, by Fast Gold) was a leading 2-year-old of 1998. He captured that year’s Champagne Stakes (gr. I) and was weighted at 122 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for males, four pounds below topweight and champion Answer Lively.
During his career, The Groom is Red won or placed in eight of 18 races and earned $401,153 for Rick Pitino’s Celtic Pride Stable while trained by Nick Zito. The Groom Is Red was sent to Korea the year of his retirement in 2000. He is represented by seven stakes horses, including two group winners.
A Kentucky-bred, The Groom Is Red was bred by David and Virginia Mullins.
Yankee Victor (Saint Ballado—Highest Carol, by Caro) was a leading miler in 2000 for a partnership that included Moreton Binn and Enllomar Stable. At 4 in 2000 Yankee Victor recorded a 115 Beyer Speed Figure when winning the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park and a 110 Beyer when scoring in the Westchester Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct.
During his career, Yankee Victor, a ridgling, won placed in a dozen of 19 races and earned $833,806. He stood at Brereton C. Jones’ Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky., before being sent to Korea in 2005. He is represented by 30 stakes horses, including Dubai champion and California grade II winner Kinsale King and other United States graded winners Real Dandy and Northern Soldier.
Yankee Victor was bred in Florida by Dr. R.G. Lundock.
