Slew o' Gold euthanized at 27

Champion SLEW O 'GOLD (Seattle Slew) was euthanized on Sunday due to the

infirmities of old age at Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Kentucky. He was 27.

The bay horse was pensioned from stud duty in August 2002.

"It's a very sad day for us," Three Chimneys owner Robert N. Clay said. "He

was our very first stallion and stood the 1985 season here all by himself, and

during that season he sired an incredible four Grade or Group 1 stakes winners

-- an almost unheard of accomplishment. He sired six Grade/Group 1 winners in

his first two crops."

From 17 crops, he sired 28 stakes winners, 12 of which were graded or group

stakes winners. His progeny earned just shy of $27 million.

In his first crop, Slew o' Gold sired champion and Group 1 winner Golden

Opinion, millionaire and Grade 1 winner Gorgeous, Grade 1 winner Awe Inspiring,

and Grade 1 winner Tactile. In his second crop, he sired millionaire and Grade 1

winner Thirty Six Red and Grade 1 winner Dr. Root. He was also the sire of Grade

1 winner Dramatic Gold ($2,567,630), who was his leading earner.

Slew o' Gold was champion three-year-old of 1983 after winning the Jockey

Club Gold Cup S. (G1), Woodward S. (G1), Wood Memorial (G1) and Peter Pan S.

(G2). The following year, he earned champion older horse honors after winning

the Marlboro Cup Invitational H. (G1) and Whitney H. (G1), and repeating in the

Jockey Club Gold Cup and Woodward. He earned $3,533,534 from a record of

21-12-5-1.

Bred by Claiborne Farm, Slew o' Gold is out of classic producer Alluvial (Buckpasser).

He will be buried at Three Chimneys.