Boardsmill Stud has announced the sudden passing of Grade 1 producing sire COURT CAVE at the age of 23.
The regally bred son of Sadlers Wells had been standing at Boardsmill since 2004. Amongst his many stakes winners were Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 winners Willoughby Court and City Island and multiple Graded winners Court Minstrel and Champion Court. His most recent high profile winners included Grade 2 Novice Chase winner JPR One, Kerry National winner Desertmore House and Paddy Power Chase winner Meetingofthewaters.
William and John Flood issued a statement to say ‘We are sad to announce the passing of Court Cave this week who died suddenly in his stable. Court Cave was a wonderful servant to us and had just completed his 21st covering season here since we acquired him from Juddmonte Farms as an unraced 3 year old in 2004. He was in rude health right up to his passing and his death came as a big shock to everyone here as he was a real character and yard favourite. Right up to his passing many visitors to the yard were amazed at his wellbeing despite his advancing years’.
Court Cave proved himself the hard way having started out covering small books of mares. He quickly proved he had the ability to upgrade his mares and whilst never covering overly large books of mares, he was one of the most consistent sires out there for siring sound winning horses. He regularly featured amongst the Top 10 Leading Sires and he had a great record at the Cheltenham festival from relatively few runners. His festival winners included Gr.1 winners City Island and Willoughby Court and chase winners Mister Whitaker and Premier Magic.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many loyal breeders who continued to use Court Cave throughout his career and to all who looked after him in particular John O’Connell who was here throughout his entire stud career.
We are really sorry to learn of the sudden passing of Court Cave. He has been a favorite stallion of ours in recent years. Our thoughts are with everyone at the stud concerning the loss.
My daughter has recently re homed a son of Court Cave.
His name is Court Case.
A complete Gentleman and has settled into his new home with no problems.
Back in work he is proving to be a lovely hack and hopefully will go on to compete in Pony Club competition with my granddaughters who are looking forward to next year when he will be in regular work.
He is loved to bits by all of us and could be in Ireland nex year competing in Tetrathlon 🤞