English classic winner and sire Generous dies

Generous, who was voted Irish Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old in 1991 following three consecutive dominant Group 1 wins—two of them classics—died on Jan. 15 in Ireland at age 25.

The son of Caerleon entered 1991 with one Group 1 win to his credit—the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket—but during the summer of his 3-year-old season he annexed the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in succession for owner Fahd Salman and trainer Paul Cole. His performance in those races earned him champion honors as well as the highest rating among World Thoroughbred handicappers for 1991.

Generous retired with six wins from 11 starts and earnings of $1,848,544. The regally bred horse, a half-brother to three graded or group stakes winners, stood as a stallion in Ireland, Japan, and New Zealand before finishing at Alfred Buller’s Scarvagh House Stud in Northern Ireland.

From 19 crops of racing age, Generous sired 56 stakes winners, including German Group 1 winner Catella, Grade or Group 2 winners Lisieux Rose and Blueprint, and Grade or Group 3 winner Generous Rosi. His progeny have earned more than $54 million.