Balanchine, first classic winner for Godolphin, dead at 30

Balanchine, who holds a special place in history as the first classic winner for the powerhouse Godolphin operation, has died at age 30. Godolphin reported that the winner of the 1994 Epsom Oaks and Irish Derby had died on Feb. 12 at her longtime home, Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky.

Balanchine, by Storm Bird and out of the Affirmed mare Morning Devotion, was bred by Robert Sangster's Swettenham Stud in Kentucky. The filly won both her starts as a juvenile in England before being privately purchased by Godolphin.

Balanchine finished second by a nose in the English 1000 Guineas in her 3-year-old debut before winning the Oaks by 2 1/2 lengths. In the process, she also became the first English classic winner for her new regular rider, Frankie Dettori. She was trained for Godolphin by Saeed bin Suroor. Balanchine proceeded to defeat males by 4 1/2 lengths in the Irish Derby at the Curragh. She was also Group 3-placed in France later that season.

As a broodmare for the international Godolphin operation, Balanchine produced five winners from 10 starters, with the most accomplished of those being Gulf News, a Woodman gelding who was Group 2-placed in France. The mare produced her last foal in 2014, and lived out her days in Kentucky.