Death of champion stallion Areion aged 27 at Gestut Etzean

The German breeding industry will miss another inflential member of its ranks after the death of Gestut Etzean's Areion at the age of 27.

"We were with him a week earlier," his owner Frank Haller told the German publication Sport-Welt.

“Actually, we had the impression that he was in good spirits. He then came to the clinic in Iffezheim with suspected colic from Etzean. He then had major problems, including with his breathing, so that unfortunately he ultimately had to be put to sleep. We had him for 25 years, he was like family to us."

Areion was the champion German stallion on four occasions, having been his country' champion sprinter on the track. He was the sire of 28 Group winners including the Criterium International winner Alson and is the broodmare sire of this year's Tattersalls Gold Cup scorer Alenquer.

Appropriately, it has also been announced that Areion's son Rubaiyat, the star German two-year-old who recently added to his impressive haul in a Group 3 in Italy a few days ago, is to join the roster of Gestut Ohlerweiherhof.

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