Stotsfold dies of colic

Stotsfold, third in last year’s Arlington Million, died of colic on Tuesday night at Newmarket Equine Hospital. The gelded 7-year-old son of Barathea had been aiming at a second tilt at the Million when he was stricken with the illness two weeks ago. He appeared to be on the road to recovery but suffered a relapse.

Trained by former leading British jockey Walter Swinburn, Stotsfold was having himself a career season this year. He won the 1 1/4-mile, Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park on May 27, then repeated over the course and distance in the listed Gala Stakes on July 2. He was preparing for a final Million prep in the Group 2 York Stakes when he fell ill. He also won three other 1 1/4-mile races: Longchamp’s La Coupe last year prior to his third behind Gio Ponti and Just as Well in the Million; the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor in 2008; and the Select Stakes at Goodwood in 2007.

In 30 career starts, Stotsfold won nine times for earnings of $556,334.