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Rahy dies at the age of 26

Rahy's list of champion progeny includes Dreaming of Anna (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) Outstanding sire RAHY (Blushing Groom [Fr]) has succumbed to the infirmities of old age, Robert and Blythe Clay's Three Chimneys Farm announced Thursday. The son of Canadian Hall of Famer and Eclipse Award winner Glorious Song (Halo) was 26. Rahy was one of the farm's flagship stallions, beginning his stud career at Three Chimneys in 1990 for a fee of $15,000. His stud fee reached as high as $100,000 during a career in which he emerged as a leading international sire and later as a highly sought-after broodmare sire. Due to declining fertility, Rahy was pensioned in 2009 at age 24. He remained at the farm's stallion division and was a fan favorite even in retirement. "Rahy was a cornerstone in the development of Three Chimneys," Robert Clay said. "He was a little horse with a lot of heart. We owe him so much. We will be forever grateful to Sheikh Maktoum for giving us the opportunity to stand Rahy, and to the Maktoum family for partnering with us in developing his magnificent stud career."

Sold to Sheikh Maktoum for $2 million as a yearling, Rahy began his racing career in Europe with Sir Michael Stoute, winning the Sirenia S. and placing second in the Middle Park S. (Eng-G1). As a four-year-old he was transferred to Neil Drysdale in the United States and won three of six starts, including the Bel Air H. (G2) by 10 lengths.

Upon his retirement from racing, Three Chimneys purchased a 50 percent interest in Rahy and stood him in partnership with the Maktoum family for the duration of his career.

"Rahy is one of the most important stallions we've had," Three Chimneys President Case Clay said. "As a stallion, he had a profound and lasting impact on the breed and was integral to the development and success of Three Chimneys. He was truly a world-class international sire."

In a career that spanned 19 years, Rahy sired 91 stakes winners, including 13 Grade/Group 1 winners and 14 millionaires. His progeny have accumulated nearly $97 million in worldwide earnings. His offspring's $109,470 average earnings per starter puts him in the top one-half of one percent of all sires.

Some of his most notable offspring include European champion, Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner and sire Fantastic Light; Hall of Famer and 11-time Grade 1 winner Serena's Song, a successful broodmare; champion Dreaming of Anna; multiple Grade 2 winner and track record-setter Lewis Michael; champion and sire Noverre; and multiple Group 1 winner Rio de la Plata, who finished second in the September 11 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1).

As a broodmare sire, Rahy sired the dams of more than 100 stakes winners, including the dams of Giant's Causeway, Rutherienne and Life at Ten.

"He was the ultimate 'great things come in small packages' kind of horse," stallion manager Sandy Hatfield said. "He kicked harder and faster than any of the other stallions, but that definitely wasn't a reason not to love him. I have so much respect for that horse. We'll miss him a lot."

Lewis Michael, full brother to champion Dreaming of Anna, currently stands at Three Chimneys. His first crop are yearlings of 2011.

Rahy will be buried in the Three Chimneys stallion cemetery. Visitors are welcome to come pay their respects either by appointment or during the farm's annual fall open house, scheduled for November 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (EDT).

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