Pensioned sire Houston dies at 26

Houston, a high-priced yearling who won several graded stakes and sired 13 stakes winners, died April 12 at the age of 26 at Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds in California, where he had been pensioned, according to reports.

Purchased for $2.9 million at the 1987 Keeneland July sale, Houston won the Grade 2 Bay Shore Stakes, the Grade 3 King’s Bishop Stakes, and the Grade 3 Derby Trial. As a stallion, the son of Seattle Slew out of the Quadrangle mare Smart Angle sired 570 horses of racing age, 280 of which won. His progeny won $14.8 million.

Houston was initially retired to Walmac International in Kentucky in 1991. He was later moved to Getaway Thoroughbred Farm in Romoland, Calif., and was pensioned in 2008.