Haras d'Etreham's dual-purpose champion Poliglote dies aged 26

Haras d'Etreham are mourning the loss of dual-purpose sire and long-term resident Poliglote after the operation announced his death on Twitter on Monday. He was 26 years old.

A son of breed-shaper Sadler's Wells, Poliglote was bred by the Wertheimer family out of the Group 3-winning Val De L'Orne mare Alexandrie, making him a half-brother to the Group scorers King Alex, Alexius and Animatrice.

He was also a brother to the placed mare Willamina, who since retiring to the paddocks produced last week's electric Racing Post Arkle winner Footpad.

The highlight of his racing career for Criquette Head-Maarek came when being beaten only half a length by Celtic Swing in the 1995 Prix du Jockey Club.

At the end of Poliglote's juvenile season he scored an important victory at the highest level when landing the Criterium de Saint-Cloud by a head from Solar One.

Retired to stud in 1998, he was responsible for the Wertheimer brothers' homebred Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Solemia on the Flat. Her victory in that race in 2012 gave Poliglote the distinction of being champion sire in France in both the Flat and National Hunt codes.

In his later years at stud Poliglote made a name for himself in the jumps sphere with his progeny headed by the likes of Grade 1 hero Don Poli, Scilly Isles Novices' Chase scorer Top Notch and this season's Tingle Creek winner Politologue.

Last year the Normandy operation announced that the son of Sadler's Wells was to cover a limited book of mares in order to manage his long-term career.

On Twitter the operation said: "We're very sad to announce the death of Poliglote. A very endearing horse, he will remain as the only stallion to have been top of the list in both disciplines the same year."

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