A few years ago, when the El Nino weather effect struck California with significant rainfall, the late Scoop Vessels thought of a way to house top Quarter Horse stallion First Down Dash if the river on the banks running through the Vessels Stallion Farm in northern San Diego county rose too high.

“If the river rises any further, he will come up to the house and we’ll put him in the living room overnight,” Bonnie Vessels recalled her husband saying.

First Down Dash, the most successful sire in Quarter Horse racing history, died on Thursday at Vessels Stallion Farm in Bonsall, Calif.

The cause of death was age-related, according to a statement released by the farm. First Down Dash was 26.

Through Friday, First Down Dash had sired the earners of a record $73.7 million, and 35 champions since his first crop reached the races in 1991.