Prominent South African sire National Assembly dead at 30

Prominent South African sire National Assembly, who stood at Highlands Stud in Western Cape, South Africa, has died. The son of Danzig was 30.

National Assembly’s nine champions from 58 stakes winners include standout Soft Falling Rain from his final crop. South Africa’s champion 2-year-old colt of 2012, Soft Falling Rain captured the Group 2 Godolphin Mile and Group 3 U.A.E. 2000 Guineas last year.

National Assembly is also the sire of National Colour, South African Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly in 2006. His other champions include National Currency, National Emblem, Forward Filly, Enchantress, National Bay, Network Edition, and Historic Lady. National Emblem, who died last year, had his own successful stud career, siring millionaire Shea Shea, winner of the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint; and South African champions Nhlavini, Rebel King, and Carnadore.

Out of the Buckpasser mare Renounce, National Assembly was bred in Ontario. He was a half-brother to stakes winner Waitlist and to stakes-placed Dowager Empress. Several of his half-sisters would eventually become stakes producers, including Arraign, dam of Canadian champion Cozzene’s Prince; and Baltic Sea, whose three stakes winners include Grade 2 winner and $800,000 earner Caller One. It is the family of prominent sires What a Pleasure and Sovereign Dancer, champion Misty Morn, and Grade 1 winner Intrepid Hero.

National Assembly’s bloodlines made him a $2.5 million purchase by the BBA of Ireland at the 1985 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. However, he never made it to the races due to injury, and Highlands later purchased him for stallion duty.