KALANISI 1996 – 2023

Boardsmill Stud has announced the passing of Champion Racehorse and multiple Grade 1 sire KALANISI at the age of 27. The dual Group 1 winner was standing at Boardsmill since 2008 having been acquired by the Flood family from his breeder HH Aga Khan. He originally stood at his breeders’ Giltown Stud having retired there in 2002. He has been retired from stud duties at Boardsmill since 2020 due to fertility issues.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, his biggest victories on the track were in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Newmarket, where he defeated Montjeu in a thrilling finish and in the Group1 Breeders Cup Turf at Churchill Downs. He was ridden by Johnny Murtagh on both occasions. For many though, his two most memorable races were in defeat where he was involved in two titanic battles with ‘The Iron Horse’ Giant’s Causeway in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown and the International at York. He came out runner up on both occasions but gained loads of admirers for his never say die attitude in both enthralling contests. He was crowned Champion Older racehorse at the end of his 4yo career in 2000.

Kalanisi sired a number of stakes winners on the flat from his early crops conceived at Giltown and a Royal Ascot winner in the shape of Missoula but it was over jumps where his stock really flourished. Triumph Hurdle and Champion Hurdle Katchit came from his 1st crop and he added a number of other high profile Jumps winners from his Boardsmill crops. Other Grade 1 winners included Kalashnikov, Barters Hill, the ill-fated mare Fayonagh and Barizan. He enjoyed other Cheltenham Festival success with chasers Imperial Aura and The Conditional and other high class performers included Brain Power, Darver Star and Blazing Khal.

More recently, daughters of Kalanisi have been flying the flag for him with great success as broodmares. Last year’s Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Aristia was a notable top level success for him, whilst over jumps this year’s Grade 2 Cheltenham Festival winner Impervious is out one of his daughters too.

Speaking yesterday, William and John Flood said “We are sad to announce the passing of our stalwart sire Kalanisi, who died suddenly in his paddock this week. He had been enjoying his well earned retirement in his paddock here for the past few years. Kalanisi was a real favourite with everyone in the yard and with visitors too. He was a huge attraction with both racing fans and breeders during the ITM Stallion Trail every year. He has a final crop of 25 three year olds and he has 3 representatives of this crop on offer at both the Goffs Arkle Sale and also at the Tattersalls Derby Sale“.

Kalanisi pictured at last January’s Stallion Trail enjoying his retirement. Photo credit David Betts (copyright)

4 thoughts on “KALANISI 1996 – 2023”

  1. I’m so sorry to read this news. I was privileged to see Kalanisi’s second ever race. He was originally trained by Luca Cumani and made it two from two at Newmarket’s July Course, on 1,000 Guineas Day, 1999 (the July Course was used as the Millennium Stand was being constructed on the Rowley Mile). After those titanic battles with Giant’s Causeway, in 2000, I was lucky to see Kalanisi beat Montjeu, Love Divine and Distant Music, in a vintage Champion Stakes. I think he was the last really top class UK-trained horse owned by HH Aga Khan. Katchit was a personal favourite over jumps and I later got to work a little bit with Kalashnikov. Rest in Peace Champion and thank you for some magical moments.

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  2. This is so sad sorry to hear this I’ve been doing some research on him as a I have a mare from him but I didn’t expect to see this

    I’m sorry for your loss 💕

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