Marquetry dies at age 26

The Kentucky-bred Marquetry originally raced in England, where he placed in

the 1989 Washington Singer Stakes for trainer Guy Harwood. He was repatriated in

1990, and the following year, developed into an outstanding older horse.

Trained by the late Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, Marquetry was a Grade 1

winner on both dirt and turf, registering victories in the 1991 Hollywood Gold

Cup Handicap, 1992 Eddie Read Handicap and 1993 Meadowlands Cup Handicap. He won

four other stakes, including the Grade 2 San Antonio, Bel Air and Mervyn LeRoy

Handicaps in 1993, and placed in 10 graded events.

The flashy chestnut retired at age six to Ben. P. Walden Jr.'s Vinery near

Midway, Kentucky, but subsequently stood at Stonewall Farms' Ocala, Florida,

division where he was pensioned in 2010 due to declining fertility.

Although Marquetry won at up to 1 1/4 miles, he had the speed to equal a

course record for about 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita's downhill turf. He passed

on that brilliance to his two best sons -- Breeders' Cup Sprint winners and

Eclipse champions Artax (1999) and Squirtle Squirt (2001).

For more information about Marquetry or any of the retirees at Old Friends,

contact the farm at (502) 863-1775.