Triple Group 1 winner, influential sire Kingmambo dead at 26

Edited Press Release

Breed-shaping sire Kingmambo has been euthanized at 26 due to the infirmities of old age. The influential stallion stood his entire career at Lane's End Farm, near Versailles, Kentucky, and was pensioned from stud duty in 2010. Kingmambo will be buried at Lane's End.

Regally bred by the Niarchos family, Kingmambo was by Mr. Prospector out of the champion and two-time Breeder's Cup Mile (G1) winner Miesque. A Champion in France at three, Kingmambo won the French Two Thousand Guineas (G1), The St. James's Palace (G1), and the Prix du Moulin (G1).

At stud Kingmambo reached even greater heights. He was a truly international sire, siring classic winners and champions in North America, Europe and Japan. He sired El Condor Pasa, Japanese Horse of the Year; Divine Proportions, European champion at two and three; Lemon Drop Kid, 2000 champion older male; and champions King Kamehameha, Henrythenavigator, Rule of Law, Russian Rhythm, Okawango, and Walzerkoenignin.

From an average crop size of less than 64 foals, he sired over 85 stakes winners, 50 group/graded winners, of which 20 were group/grade 1 winners. Kingmambo has also emerged as a top broodmare sire, his daughters have produced Grade and Group 1 winners such as Midday, Duke of Marmalade, Camelot, Gozzip Girl, Maids Causeway and Ruler of the World.

"It is a tough, emotional loss for all of us here at the farm," said Lane's End owner Will Farish. "He's been with us for a long time, was so very successful and will be greatly missed. We're very grateful to Stavros, Maria and the whole Niarchos Family for entrusting his care to us."

"It is every owner/breeder's dream to have a filly like Miesque. Then for her to give them two classic winners from her first two foals, in Kingmambo and East of the Moon is unique," said Maria Niarchos-Gouazé. "Kingmambo was one of a kind who has stamped the breed forever and who has given us so much pleasure over the past 26 years."

The 1993 St. James's Palace at Royal Ascot:

The 1993 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp: