Breaking News: Legendary Sire Dynaformer Dead at 27

15 days after suffering a heart attack, legendary sire Dynaformer has died.  According to Three Chimneys, the influential sire suffered multiple holes in his heart after the event, including one measuring eight centimeters long.

Dynaformer was pensioned immediately after his heart attack and had been enjoying the last few weeks by spending his days in his paddock. Three Chimneys’ resident veterinarian, Dr. Jim Morehead, had said that a normal horse would not have survived his heart attack.

Like many things Dynaformer did, he controlled his fate until the end.

"Dynaformer told us when it was his time to go," Dr. Morehead said on the Three Chimneys site.

Ironically, Dynaformer’s death comes on the same day that his most famous son, Barbaro, would have celebrated his ninth birthday. Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, but was euthanized in January of 2007 after fighting a long battle from injuries sustained in the 2006 Preakness Stakes.

Dynaformer sired many sturdy horses, including an unprecedented four winners of the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland among other black type events. His progeny also succeeded over the jumps, as son McDynamo won a record five Breeders’ Cup Steeplechases.

Dynaformer’s impact was felt on both sides of the pond, with the stallion siring winners of American, European and Australian Classics.

In addition to his siring ability, Dynaformer has made an impact on the industry as a prolific broodmare sire. His daughters have sired over 75 stakes winners to date. He also has many sons at stud around the world, including 25 registered with the Thoroughbred Times stallion directory in the United States, Japan, South America and Europe.

Three Chimneys will be holding a memorial service for Dynaformer on Thursday, May 4 at 12:30 p.m. during their Kentucky Derby Week Open House.