Redvers hails 'one of the family' as Melbourne Cup hero Dunaden dies aged 13

Dunaden, winner of the 2011 Melbourne Cup for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Pearl Bloodstock, has died aged 13 due to complications following a paddock accident at his home at Overbury Stud.

The son of Nicobar found fame as a top-class international performer, not only winning the Melbourne Cup, in which he defeated nine Group 1 winners, but landing two other elite races, the Hong Kong Vase and Caulfield Cup.

He also won six races in his native France, including the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville.

"Dunaden is the horse that got Sheikh Fahad and his family hooked on horseracing," said the sheikh's racing manager David Redvers. "When he won the Melbourne Cup for a young Sheikh Fahad it really opened up the opportunities that horseracing can present. It's a very sad day as he was definitely one of the family."

Sheikh Fahad added: "Dunaden was a horse of a lifetime. Winning the Melbourne Cup is a day I will never forget. He was pure class – consistent, strong and incredibly competitive. Qipco's initial increase in investment in racing is largely down to Dunaden’s success. It is a terrible loss."

Despite the lofty heights he went on to scale, Dunaden rose from decidedly humble beginnings. Bred by Edouard Decazes from the unraced Kaldounevees mare La Marlia, Dunaden fetched just €1,500 when bought for Dutch owner-breeder Jetty Van Der Hulst by Meridian International as a foal at Arqana in December 2006.

David Redvers: 'His character is something I will always remember'Credit: Patrick McCann

"He's an absolute favourite, there's a big bronze of him at Longholes in Newmarket, which shows the level of affection in which he's held," said Redvers. "Tragically the accident happened the same day we had to put down Just The Judge, which is tough for all of those who work with the horses and particularly tough for Sheikh Fahad.

"The fact that he was able to win so much prize-money by trotting the globe, and the courageous style in which he pinned his ears back and fought to win his races, is an amazing testament to him as a horse, as it is to the skills of his trainer Mikel Delzangles."

Dunaden steadily climbed the ranks for a variety of connections in France, but it was under the care of Delzangles and carrying the silks of Sheikh Fahad's Pearl Bloodstock that the horse enjoyed his biggest successes, with the sheikh having bought him during his four-year-old campaign.

"His character is something I will always remember in that he was - without a shadow of a doubt - the most intelligent thoroughbred I've ever had anything to do with, and also the most determined. He knew exactly where the winning post was," continued Redvers. "The only horse I've had anything to do with since that's comparable is Roaring Lion.

"He was almost single-handedly responsible for tens - if not hundreds - of millions of dollars worth of investment into horseracing. He was certainly responsible for Qipco and Qatar Racing being formed and he'll forever be remembered for that."

Sheikh Fahad Al Thani: had his first taste of big-race success with DunadenCredit: Edward Whitaker

He ran his final race aged eight, having amassed £5,271,584 in prize-money, and duly took up stallion duties at Overbury Stud in 2015 at a fee of £3,000. Dunaden's debut crop includes five winners, led by Kingsclere Stud homebred Ranch Hand, who maintained his unbeaten record with a 12-length success at Southwell on Monday.

His oldest crop are this year's three-year-olds, and with his progeny expected to follow in their sire's footsteps of improving for time and distance, their best days surely lay ahead of them.

"He's made a relatively bright start to his stallion career considering he wasn't terribly fertile and had very limited opportunities," said Redvers.

Simon Sweeting, manager of Overbury Stud added: "It was a huge honour to have stood Dunaden at Overbury Stud. I was delighted to have been involved with him and am very sad to have lost him so early."