Leading sire Sadler's Wells has been retired following fertility problems
LEGENDARY sire Sadler's Wells is to be retired from stud duties due to declining fertility.
The decision was made by the team at Coolmore Stud, where the 27-year-old son of Northern Dancer will remain in retirement having stood there since the end of the 1985 Flat season.
Sadler's Wells was champion sire in Britain and Ireland a record-breaking 14 times, including 13 years in succession.
Coolmore manager Christy Grassick said: "I thinkSadler's Wells is generally acknowledged as the best sire Europe has ever seen and we feel very privileged to have been associated with him.
"Despite his advancing years, he is still in remarkably good condition and I hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement.
"His influence will be felt for many years to come and in Galileo, Montjeu and High Chaparral, we are delighted to have his three best sons at Coolmore."
Sadler's Wells, sired by Northern Dancer and out of Fairy Bridge, was foaled in the United States in 1981.
Trained by the masterful Vincent O'Brien in Ireland, he enjoyed a very successful racing career that saw him win many of the highest-profile prizes.
Counting the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, Irish 2000 Guineas, Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes among his haul as a three-year-old alone, O'Brien's bay was making the headlines long before finding his true niche in the racing game.
When retired to stud, Sadler's Wells had won six of his 11 starts and earned over £575,000 in prize-money.
Really hitting the heights as a stallion, the virtually incomparable Sadler's Wells sired over 200 stakes winners and well over 60 Group One scorers.
Even a scaled-down list of the major players he has produced makes for sensational reading, with the likes of Montjeu, Galileo, High Chaparral and Yeats all featuring prominently.
Further back, in the late 1980's, In The Wings, Old Vic and Opera House were all flying the flag in top-flight company.
Along with those superstars, he sired plenty of top-notch fillies as well, including 1000 Guineas, Oaks and Irish Derby winner Salsabil and the exceptionally-talented Alexandrova.
The latter, trained by Aidan O'Brien, secured the Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks in a sensational three-year-old campaign.
His versatility as a sire was also highlighted perfectly by triple Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq, who won no fewer than 23 of his 29 races over timer to accrue well over £1million in winnings.
Sadler's Wells ran in the colours of the late Robert Sangster.
His son Ben told PA Sport: "He was a phenomenal horse. His record as a stallion is unbelievable and it is the end of a very distinguished career.
"His legacy will live on through his sons and daughters and their sons and daughters.
"He has the likes of Montjeu and Galileo among many others to continue his bloodline.
"I don't remember much about his racing days as I was only a child myself, but he showed he was a classy and tough performer.
"He was a son of Northern Dancer and he has continued that legacy as I'm sure his progeny will continue his.
"A number of his sons and daughters will probably be lining up at Epsom this year and for the next couple of years to come and his influence will continue."
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