Champion Smuggler dies at age 13

Smuggler, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2005, died April 16 at Claiborne Farm due to complications from foaling. Her foal, by War Front, was also lost.

A member of the vaunted Phipps family breeding program, the 13-year-old Unbridled mare was out of champion Inside Information and a half sister to Illicit, the dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Gone Astray.

Smuggler, who was campaigned by Phipps Stable and trained by Shug McGaughey, won two of three starts a 2-year-old, then returned as a sophomore in May 2005 to win a Belmont Park allowance by 2 ¾ lengths. She then finished second to Round Pond in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes, followed by wins in the Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks to wrap up her Eclipse Award.

Smuggler returned at age four and raced twice, finishing third in her career finale, the Grade 2 Shuvee Handicap, before being retired due to a bruised cannon bone.

As a broodmare, Smuggler had seven foals, with two winners from five runners. Her final two foals are by Malibu Moon: 2-year-old Secret Agenda and yearling Led Astray.

Smuggler was buried at Claiborne’s Marchmont Cemetery.