Forty Niner Dead at 35

Mark Smith - Monday May 18

Influential stallion Forty Niner has succumbed to the infirmities of old according to a tweet from Shigeki Yusa of the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association.

Advertisement

Just a week earlier the 35yo son of Mr Prospector was receiving well wishes from around the world on his birthday.

A brilliant 2yo, the Claiborne homebred went on to win the Travers Stakes and Haskell Invitational and was runner-up in the Kentucky Derby behind the filly Winning Colors.

After six years at Claiborne, Forty Niner was sold for $5 million to the JBBAs Shizunai Stallion Station.

Among his 56 black-type winners was the Champion North American stallion Distorted Humor (USA) who was brought to Australia by David Moodie for just two seasons leaving the Group 1 SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Rinky Dink and Listed winner Honest Politician in his first crop and Listed winner Capizzi Strip and Crystal Wit as well as the grand hurdler Some Are Bent in his second.

RIP Fort Niner - few thoroughbreds make it to 35!

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sliders tops Inglis January Online as Anamoe breeding right confirmed for Feb (Early) auction
The first Inglis Digital auction of 2026 was topped by well related mare Sliders – with an I Am Invincible colt foal at foot – selling for $400,000.
Facts and Figures: $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO
A highly competitive, trans-Tasman field of 14 plus two emergencies has been confirmed for the 19th edition of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie this weekend.
Aussie Sprinter Primed for G1 Sistema Railway
Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson left Ellerslie on Tuesday morning well satisfied that Jigsaw is on target for his Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) mission.
Change of Luck For Baker As So You Think Gelding Shows Potential
Off the back of a few days that trainer Bjorn Baker would like to forget after the his two runners were withdrawn from the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic, So You Think gelding Castagnola impressed on the Randwick Kensington track, breaking his maiden at just his second start.
Opportunity Knocks - Adelaide to Deliver Again in 2026
One of the Southern Hemisphere's most regarded and best producing auctions is ready to deliver more life changing moments this March with the online release of a quality catalogue for 2026.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 21
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday January 20
Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Facts and Figures: $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO
Group One performance is a recurring theme in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), which will be run for the ninth time at Ellerslie this Saturday.
Two State Double for Hello Youmzain
With the Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale set to kick off this Sunday, the Cambridge Stud bred and sold filly Fast ‘n’ Inzaine rang up a double for her sire Hello Youmzain (Fr) when breaking the ice at Sandown on Wednesday and she has a half-sister to be offered next Monday.
Victoria’s WorkCover Reform Delivers Measurable Improvements for Trainers
Victorian trainers are seeing clear improvements in how WorkCover claims are managed and injuries are handled, following the introduction of a targeted initiative driven by Racing Victoria (RV) and the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) - one that could now be viewed as a national blueprint for industry-led reform.