Multiple Group 1 winner Warrsan dies

Multiple Group 1 hero and $2.6 million earner WARRSAN (Caerleon), who was

retired in May after suffering a small chip on the sesamoid in his left front

leg, died Monday night after a brief illness. The eight-year-old was being cared

for by Rossdales veterinary surgeons at Carlburg Stables after developing

complications resulting from a tumor.

"It is an absolute tragedy that Warrsan was unable to go onto the life that

he so richly deserved as a stallion," said trainer Clive Brittain, who handled

the classy veteran throughout his career. "He was one of the family to all of us

here at Carlburg and we will miss him."

Saeed Manana, Warrsan's owner, added, "I would like to thank all those who

tried so hard to save him, but unfortunately, it was not to be. I feel so sorry

for Clive Brittain and all his team who loved him as much as I did."

Warrsan broke his maiden at Sandown in July of 2001. It took time for him to

reach his peak, but he picked up his first group success in the John Porter S.

(Eng-G3) in 2003, and went on to win the Sagitta Jockey Club S. (Eng-G2) and

Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) that season. He defended his title in that prestigious

event the following year, and also captured the Grosser Preis Von Baden

(Ger-G1), a victory he would repeat in 2005.

Kerrin McEvoy, who partnered Warrsan to both victories at Baden-Baden, paid

tribute at the time of his retirement.

"He was a terrific old horse and he gave my career a big kick forward at a

time when most people knew me only as Godolphin's second jockey," he told Racing

Post. "He was so genuine, a real professional, and I will miss him a lot."

The bay made his final start in the Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) at Sha Tin in

December, finishing off the board, but was preparing for a 2006 campaign when he

was injured. He retired with a mark of 9-9-3 from 43 starts.