Bernardini's dam Cara Rafaela dies aged 23

Cara Rafaela, the dam of Grade 1 hero and Darley America sire Bernardini, has been euthanised at the age of 23 due to the infirmities of old age.

A daughter of Quiet American out of the Spectacular Bid mare Oil Fable, Cara Rafaela was trained by Wayne Lukas for her owner-breeder Goncalo Borges Torrealba to win four races including the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes.

She joined Sheikh Mohammed's broodmare band when she was purchased privately by him in 2002 while she was carrying Bernardini in utero.

The son of A.P. Indy went on to become a star on the racetrack winning the Preakness Stakes, Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup at the highest level during his career.

Since retiring to stud he is the sire of the Grade 1 winners Stay Thirsty, To Honor And Serve, Alpha and Rachel's Valentina. He is set to stand the 2017 breeding season at Darley's Jonabell Farm in Kentucky at a fee of $100,000.

Cara Rafaela produced six winners from her career as a broodmare including the Grade 1-placed Il De France, the dam of dual Grade 1 heroine Love And Pride.

She was pensioned in 2014 and had been living out her retirement at Sheikh Mohammed's Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky.