Racing world mourns the loss of Electrocutionist

The racing world lost one of its superstars early Saturday when Dubai World

Cup (UAE-G1) hero ELECTROCUTIONIST (Red Ransom), a three-time Group 1 winner,

died of a suspected heart attack. The Godolphin colorbearer was five years old.

"Earlier in the week, we detected an abnormality in Electrocutionist's

heart," Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said on the team's website. "He

was admitted to the veterinary hospital for tests and further investigations. He

appeared to be responding well to treatment, but during the night he suffered

what seems to have been a fatal heart attack.

"It is terribly sad," Crisford continued. "He was a great horse for Godolphin

and a real stable favorite. He will be sorely missed by all of us."

Originally owned by Earle Mack, Electrocutionist began his career under the

tutelage of Valfredo Valiani in Italy. After dominating the opposition in his

first three races at Milan in 2004, he just missed in the Gran Premio del Jockey

Club Italiano (Ity-G1), beaten in a photo-finish by the world-class Shirocco

(Ger) (Monsun), who captured last year's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).

As a four-year-old in 2005, Electrocutionist was ranked the highweight older

horse in Italy in two categories, the 9 1/2-11 furlong division as well as the

11-14 furlong group. He began the year with scores in the Premio Carlo d'Alessio

(Ity-G2) and Gran Premio di Milano (Ity-G1), then successfully invaded England

to take the Juddmonte International S. (Eng-G1), outdueling Japanese Horse of

the Year Zenno Rob Roy. In his seasonal finale, Electrocutionist was elevated to

third via disqualification in the Canadian International S. (Can-G1) after being

struck in the face by a rival's whip. Unable to get traction on the yielding

ground at Woodbine, that was the only time in his career he did not finish in

the top two.

The bay with the distinctive white blaze joined Godolphin after the

conclusion of last season and promptly opened his 2006 campaign with two

memorable wins on the dirt at Nad al Sheba. In his main track debut,

Electrocutionist romped by seven lengths in the March 2 Maktoum Challenge Round

III S. (UAE-G2). When facing a far tougher field of accomplished dirt horses in

the Dubai World Cup three weeks later, he rose to the occasion and delivered a

thoroughly determined effort to collar Brass Hat (Prized), drawing off to score

by 1 1/2 lengths at the line.

Freshened for his big summer targets in England, Electrocutionist returned to

action at Royal Ascot with a strong second in the June 21 Prince of Wales's S.

(Eng-G1), just caught late by the incomparable Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross

[Ire]). In what turned out to be his final start, he finished an honorable

runner-up to European Horse of the Year Hurricane Run (Montjeu [Ire]) in an epic

renewal of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. (Eng-G1), also at

Ascot on July 29.

Electrocutionist suffered a flare-up of an old splint injury in that titanic

struggle, and he was being pointed toward a reappearance in the October 14 Champion

S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket. His long-range target was the November 4 Breeders' Cup

Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Bred in Kentucky by Compagnia Generale, he was produced by the winning Arazi

mare Elbaaha (GB). His three-year-old half-sister, Grigorieva (Woodman),

captured this year's Prix des Lilas and was second in the Prix Chloe (Fr-G3).

With his second dam being French Group 3 winner Gesedeh (Ire) (Ela-Mana-Mou),

Electrocutionist is from the immediate family of 2002 German co-highweight

juvenile filly Royal Dubai (Dashing Blade), 1998 Deutsches Derby (Ger-G1) victor Robertico

(Robellino) and

2005 Prix de Malleret (Fr-G2) winner Royal Highness (Monsun), who was

second in the Prix Ganay (Fr-G1) earlier this year. This is the blacktype-rich

female line of English, Irish and French champion Ardross and last year's St.

Leger S. (Eng-G1) hero, Scorpion (Montjeu [Ire]), an English and Irish highweight

at 14 furlongs and beyond.

At the time of his death, Electrocutionist was accorded a 127 Timeform

rating. His sterling record reads 12-8-3-1, with a bankroll in excess of $5.4

million.

"He was a wonderful, brave horse, a real pleasure to train," horseman Saeed

bin Suroor stated on the Godolphin website. "He gave his best every time he ran, and

I will always remember the courage and class he showed in winning the Dubai

World Cup. He was a champion."

"Electrocutionist's World Cup win was a really fantastic performance,"

regular rider Frankie Dettori said. "It is desperately sad that we have lost him

because he was one of those horses who always seemed to relish a battle. It is a

terrible blow for the whole team."