Tragic Loss for South Australian Racing: Bullbars, Sire of Group 1 Champion Mr Brightside, Passes Away
In a devastating blow to the South Australian racing industry, the relatively unknown sire Bullbars has passed away. The 15-year-old stallion, who was the driving force behind the remarkable success of Group 1 champion Mr Brightside, died from suspected heart condition complications during the onset of last year’s breeding season.
Owner Confirms the Tragic News
Owner Mark Conroy confirmed the news, revealing that Bullbars was found deceased in his paddock. The G3-winning son of Elusive Quality had arrived in South Australia in 2020 after serving small groups of mares during his initial eight seasons at stud in New Zealand. His arrival was low-key, but his impact on the local racing scene would soon be felt.
The Legacy of Bullbars
One of Bullbars’ standout progeny, Mr Brightside, has achieved remarkable success in recent years, including six Group 1 victories, a win in the prestigious All-Star Mile, and a narrow placing in the iconic Cox Plate. Despite these impressive accomplishments, Bullbars only served 53 mares from his Adelaide Hills base between 2020 and 2022.
“The passing of Bullbars is a significant blow to the South Australian racing community, as the industry mourns the loss of a sire whose impact far exceeded his relatively modest stud career.”
In addition to Mr Brightside, Bullbars also sired G2 winner Contessa Vanessa and multiple stakes winner Beauden, further cementing his legacy as a sire capable of producing top-class racehorses.
The Future of South Australian Racing
This tragic loss further diminishes South Australia’s already limited stallion ranks. Unless a new stallion is introduced to the state soon, there will be no Group 1-producing stallions standing in South Australia in 2024, leaving the future of the state’s breeding and racing programs in jeopardy.
The passing of Bullbars is a significant blow to the South Australian racing community, as the industry mourns the loss of a sire whose impact far exceeded his relatively modest stud career. His progeny, particularly the remarkable Mr Brightside, will ensure that Bullbars’ name lives on in the annals of Australian racing history.
🔗 Source