Grade 1 Haskell winner Roman Ruler dies in Argentina

Grade 1 winner and classic sire Roman Ruler has died in Argentina after developing laminitis following a severe attack of colic. He was 15.

Roman Ruler entered stud at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky in 2006, but was a frequent and popular Southern Hemisphere shuttle stallion. He had remained in Argentina following the 2015 season, standing at Haras Vacacion in Buenos Aires.

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That farm announced his death on Monday in a release in Spanish. Translated, it says:

“His behavior until the last second was stoic. Never surrendered. He put his heart [into it] like when he ran, and as he did his children. … A racehorse, a stallion unforgettable. We greatly appreciate having had the chance to enjoy him, it was a great privilege. We're honored to have had him with us.”

Roman Ruler, from the first crop of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, won 5 of 10 starts during his own career for earnings of more than $1.2 million, despite being hampered by foot problems. A multiple Grade 2 winner as a juvenile, Roman Ruler raced through the summer of his 3-year-old year after missing the Triple Crown series, winning the Grade 2 Dwyer Stakes before posting his Grade 1 triumph in the Haskell Invitational. He raced for Fog City Stable and was trained by Bob Baffert.

Roman Ruler is the sire of 50 stakes winners, led by 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice, who finished third in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic and earned more than $1.7 million.

Roman Ruler also sired multiple Grade 1 winner Artemis Agrotera, Grade 1-winning juvenile Homeboykris, and multiple-graded-stakes-winning millionaire Rule. In Argentina, he is represented by champions Caldene, Lenovo, and Zacatlan.