Sadler`s Wells

Sadler's Wells (1981-2011) was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe.

He was by the great sire, Northern Dancer, his dam Fairy Bridge was by Bold Reason. Sadler's Wells was the older brother to Classic Music, Tate Gallery (won BBA Goffs National Stakes etc.) and Fairy King. He was a half-brother to Perugino (by Danzig), Hermitage (by Storm Bird) and Fairy Dancer (by Nijinsky II).

Sadler's Wells, trained by Vincent O'Brien, had a successful racing career as a three-year-old in 1984 when he won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Eclipse Stakes and the inaugural Phoenix Champion Stakes. He also finished second in the Prix du Jockey Club and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Sadler's Wells greatest achievement came as a champion sire and much of the Coolmore breeding empire is founded on his success. Sadler's Wells has been Champion Sire in Great Britain & Ireland 14 times, as well as Champion Sire in France three times and North America once. He has produced over 293 stakes winners and 74 individual Group 1/Grade I winners

In November 2007, a Sadler's Wells daughter, Playful Act, out of the mare Magnificent Style, was sold at the Keeneland breeding stock sale for a world record price of US$10.5 million.

On 13 May 2008 Coolmore announced that Sadler's Wells was retiring from breeding due to declining fertility.

Sadler's Wells died peacefully on 26 April 2011 at the age of 30 at Coolmore Stud

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