Sudden death of former National Stud shuttler Spill The Beans

Spill The Beans, who shuttled to the National Stud for the 2018 northern hemisphere breeding season, died suddenly at Canungra Stud in Queensland on Friday morning.

The son of champion sire Snitzel captured the Group 2 QTC Cup as a three-year-old before retiring to Aquis Farm's stallion base in Canungra, where he had been in high demand throughout his short career at stud, covering 489 mares in his first three seasons.

Spill The Beans covered 202 in his first year alone, making him the most popular newcomer to stud in Australia in 2016.

Among his first crop of runners are his sons Tennessee Boy and Molongle Drifter, who completed a one-two for the sire in a Townsville maiden over 1,000 metres worth A$32,500 (£17,300/€20,100).

Aquis managing director Shane McGrath said: "It's always devastating to lose a stallion, but with Spill The Beans we felt we had something very special.

"As one of the first stallions secured to stand at Aquis, he had a special place in the hearts of the entire team, my condolences go out to Mr Fung, his family, and all our team that have worked with him."

Spill The Beans commenced his career with back-to-back wins to end his juvenile season unbeaten.

At three, he captured the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas before highlighting his class once again when successful in the Group 2 QTC Cup, which was to be his final race start.

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