Noble Causeway, sire of Samraat, dies of laminitis

Noble Causeway, a Grade 1-placed runner and sire of Belmont Stakes hopeful Samraat, was euthanized the evening of May 27 after his condition deteriorated due to laminitis.

The 12-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway stood at Sequel Stallions in Hudson, N.Y. for an advertised fee of $5,000, and was withdrawn from service in early May when he began to show symptoms of the hoof disease.

"He was a brave and determined patient, but his condition deteriorated markedly in the last 12 hours,” said Wally Burleson, farm manager at Sequel Stallions. “We decided to spare him further pain.

"With heavy hearts, we send our condolences to [owner Leonard Riggio] and the rest of the My Meadowview connections,” Burleson continued. “Noble Causeway has always been a special favorite of the Sequel team. We are definitely going to miss him. Hopefully, Samraat will carry the torch so we'll be able to enjoy his influence for many years to come."

Noble Causeway has sired four crops of racing age to date led by My Meadowview colorbearer Samraat, who became his first U.S. graded stakes winner by virtue of his victories in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes and Withers Stakes. Samraat also finished second in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes and fifth in the Kentucky Derby. He is scheduled to contest the Belmont Stakes on June 7.

The stallion’s other leading runners include Panamanian champion Vida Noble, Mexican Group 1 winner Noble Killer, Venezuelan Group 3 winner Eccole Qua, and U.S. stakes winner Private Cause.

Bred in Kentucky by Reiko and Michael Baum, Noble Causeway was out of the winning Seeking the Gold mare Mimi’s Golden Girl. He was a $1.15-million purchase at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale by My Meadowview Farm, which campaigned him with trainer Nick Zito to three wins in 18 starts for earnings of $360,010.

Noble Causeway finished second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in 2005 and competed in that year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. The following year, he finished third in the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland.