King’s Best, winner of the 2,000 Guineas at the start of the millennium and sire of Epsom Derby hero Workforce, has been euthanised at Darley in Japan following complications due to colic.
Winner of the Acomb Stakes at two, King’s Best won his Classic in dominant fashion, landing the Guineas by three and a half lengths from Giant’s Causeway. Injury in the Irish Derby next time out meant he was not seen on a racecourse again, and he began his stud career at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.
He went on to sire eight G1 winners, including the aforementioned Workforce, whose seven-length demolition of the Derby field was the fastest recorded at the time. He went on to win the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe later that year.
King’s Best was also responsible for another Derby winner in Eishin Flash, who landed the Tenno Sho in Japan in 2010. He was also sire of star milers Creachadoir and Proclamation (both winners at the highest level) and four of his daughters have gone on to produce G1 winners including Breeders’ Cup winner Queen’s Trust and Ervedya, who landed the French Guineas, Coronation Stakes and Prix du Moulin.
Harry Sweeney, President of Darley Japan, said, “King’s Best was a great servant to Darley, standing in Ireland, France, Argentina, and Australia before coming to Japan where he retired earlier this year. He will be missed by everyone here at Darley in Japan.”
