Polish Precedent dead

Polish Precedent, a French champion whose progeny include the multiple champion and 1996 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Pilsudski, has died at age 19.

The Darley organization, which stood Polish Precedent at its Dalham Hall in Newmarket, England, announced Wednesday that the stallion had died from complications related to colic surgery Tuesday night.

Darley's owner, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum, campaigned Polish Precedent, a son of Danzig. Trained by Andre Fabre, the horse had his best season in 1989 at age 3, when he earned Group 1 victories in the Prix de Moulin de Longchamp and the Prix Jacques le Marois. That year he was named France's champion miler.

Polish Precedent became most famous as a sire for his son Pilsudski, who earned more than $4 million and became a champion in France, Germany, Ireland, and England.

Polish Precedent also is the sire of champion Rakti; Group 1 winner Pure Grain; and such group winners as Polish Summer, First Charter, Predappio, Sobieski, and Riyadian.

Polish Precedent was out of the unraced Buckpasser mare Past Example.