Woodman, champion and influential sire, dead at 24

Irish champion WOODMAN (Mr. Prospector), an influential stallion responsible

for more than 100 stakes winners, was euthanized on Thursday because of failing

health at the age of 24. The royally bred chestnut stood at Ashford Stud near

Versailles, Kentucky.

A $3 million yearling at the 1984 Keeneland July Sale, Woodman joined master

horseman Vincent O'Brien in Ireland. The Robert Sangster colorbearer ranked as

that nation's champion juvenile after capturing the Anglesey S. (Ire-G3) and

Ferrans Futurity (Ire-G3). He placed third in the Mill Ridge S. in his

three-year-old bow, which turned out to be his final career start.

Woodman sired such champions as Hansel, winner of the Preakness S. (G1) and

Belmont S. (G1) in 1991; Timber Country, successful in the 1994 Breeders' Cup

Juvenile (G1) and 1995 Preakness; 1996 English One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) and

Champion S. (Eng-G1) heroine Bosra Sham; 1991 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French

Two Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1) victor Hector Protector; Hawk Wing, who captured

the 2002 Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) and 2003 Lockinge S. (Eng-G1); Mujtahid, a smart

juvenile in England; and Hishi Akebono, a top sprinter and miler in Japan.

His daughters have also produced in excess of 100 stakes winners, including

Canadian Horse of the Year Wando, Australian champion Miss Finland, and

successful young sire More Than Ready.

Woodman was produced by the Buckpasser mare Playmate. His dam's full sister,

1971 champion two-year-old filly Numbered Account, herself produced multiple

Grade 1-winning sire Private Account and Grade 1 queen Dance Number (Northern

Dancer), who in turn is the dam of 1989 champion juvenile Rhythm.