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Runaway Groom dead Canadian champion RUNAWAY GROOM (Blushing Groom [Fr]), the sire of 31 graded stakes winners including champion Cherokee Run, was euthanized Friday due to the infirmities of old age. The 28-year-old stallion, who stood at Vinery near Lexington, Kentucky, was pensioned earlier this year. "Runaway Groom was a great horse with a great personality," said Vinery Stallion Manager Mike Heitzmann, who had cared for the horse for over a decade. "Even at his age, he was the toughest horse in the barn to handle. He was king around here, and he knew it. We are all saddened by his passing -- it's truly an end of an era." Heitzmann said Runaway Groom had been in declining health, but when it became apparent that he was not comfortable, even with medication, the decision was made to euthanize him. On the track, Runaway Groom compiled a record of 6-5-1 from 18 starts and earned $347,537. After finishing second in the Queen's Plate, Runaway Groom won the next two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown: the Prince of Wales S. and Breeders S. The gray switched to dirt for the Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga, and in that race defeated all three of the U.S. classic winners: Gato del Sol, Aloma's Ruler and Conquistador Cielo. He was named champion three-year-old colt in Canada and was later elected to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. At stud, Runaway Groom was extremely consistent, siring 16 percent stakes horses. He is the sire of five champions, including 1994 champion sprinter Cherokee Run. His 72 stakes winners include millionaire Grade 1 winners Wekiva Springs and Down the Aisle. To date, his progeny have won at least 660 races and earned more than $54 million. Runaway Groom, out of stakes winner Yonnie Girl (Call the Witness), is best known for the versatility of his offspring. He sired Grade 1 winners sprinting on the dirt, Grade 1 marathon turf winners, and everything in between. Runaway Groom was buried in the courtyard of the stallion complex at Vinery.
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