Injuries in paddock accident prove fatal to Najran

Najran, the 11-year-old sire of multiple graded winner Wasted Tears, was euthanized Feb. 9 as a result of injuries sustained in a paddock accident at Kentucky’s Hopewell Farm.

Jay Adcock, who planned to ship Najran to his Red River Farms in Louisiana for the 2011 season, said the Runaway Groom horse died at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., after falling in his paddock.

“I was really excited about getting him down here,” Adcock said. “I thought he’d do well for us.”

Bred by France and Irv Weiner, Najran won the Grade 3 Phoenix Breeders’ Cup Stakes and Westchester Handicap in 2003, equaling an American track record in the latter when he went a mile in 1:32.24. He also won the 2002 Perryville Stakes and was second in the Grade 1 Forego and Grade 3 Hal’s Hope in 2003. He earned $483,448 from 7 wins in 15 starts.

At stud, Najran’s most accomplished runner to date is Wasted Tears. He’s also the sire of Grade 2 winners Sky Cape and Muny, Grade 3 winner Buckleupbuttercup, and Grade 1-placed Snow Top Mountain.

Najran was the only registered foal out of Grade 3 winner Line Command, by Capote.