Top New Zealand stallion Tavistock dies aged 14 at Cambridge Stud

Cambridge Stud has announced the death of influential stallion Tavistock, who suffered complications to an earlier injury sustained in a field.

Bred by Bloomsbury Stud in New Zealand, the 14-year-old stems from the outstanding family developed by the Duchess of Bedford from blue hen Mrs Moss, whose progeny include the 1986 Japan Cup winner Jupiter Island.

Tavistock, by Montjeu, struck at Group 1 level in New Zealand for Mick Price and also made an impact in Australia, but has become even more effective as a stallion in Australasia and Asia.

He has produced 19 stakes winners and 11 individual Group winners, with particular success stories being the Hong Kong champion Werther and the Rosehill Guineas and Victoria Derby scorer Tarzino. He was most recently standing for NZ $50,000 (£25,000) but was being rested after his setback.

A statement from the stud read: "Cambridge Stud reported eight weeks ago that Tavistock suffered a life threatening injury in a freak paddock accident.

"Although he made significant progress from the initial injury, he sustained secondary complications following further surgery last week and was put down on vets advice this afternoon.

"We want to thank our vet team of Dr Rob Hitchcock and Dr Alanna Zantingh of Cambridge Equine along with Dr Ric Redden from Kentucky for their extraordinary efforts to save him.

"The Cambridge Stud staff have been nothing less than heroic in what has been an intensely difficult season for them. Tavistock’s legacy will live on through his many sons and daughters. He cast a giant shadow at Cambridge and he will be sorely missed.

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