Fasliyev, European champion and sire, dead at 16

Racing Post in England has reported the death of 1999 European champion juvenile Fasliyev in Japan, citing a tweet from Kentucky-based breeder Dr. Naoya Yoshida.

Fasliyev, by Nureyev, was 16 and had been standing at Japan’s Yushun Stallion Company. Yoshida tweeted Tuesday that the horse “passed away due to severe diaphragmatic hernia last night in Japan.”

A $450,000 Keeneland yearling bred by Harold Harrison, Fasliyev was undefeated in five starts at 2 and won the Group 1 Prix Morny and Phoenix Stakes in 1999 en route to his championship honors for owners Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier. In his single season at the races, Fasliyev earned $366,473. Aidan O’Brien trained him.

Fasliyev began his stud career at Coolmore’s Irish headquarters, but in 2007 a Japanese syndicate bought him and relocated him to Yushun, in Niikappu on the island of Hokkaido.

From 11 racing-age crops to date, Fasliyev sired such runners as Group 1 winner Carry On Katie and Group 2 winners City Leader, Chineur, Much Faster, and Amico Fritz, among a host of other graded performers. His international successes also include Macau Horse of the Year Good Control, Saudi champion Critic (also known as Shibl Almeedaan), and Austrian champion Happy Holiday.

Fasliyev’s dam is Mr. P’s Princess, an unraced Mr. Prospector mare who also produced Group 3-placed Maderno by Nureyev, Group 3 winner Kamarinskaya by Storm Cat, and stakes winner Dubai to Dubai by Kris S. He was from the family of Haskell winner and Derby and Preakness runner-up Menifee.

Fasliyev’s current progeny earnings stood at more than $50.4 million on Tuesday, the day of his reported death.