Photo: Race Images
Group 1 winner Wyndspelle (Iffraaj) has died suddenly following a freak accident at Victoria’s Wyndholm Park Stud.
His breeder and long-time syndicate manager Jen Campin confirmed the news, while stud owner Kim McKellar explained the stallion succumbed to injuries sustained after taking fright from a kangaroo.
The son of Iffraaj (Zafonic) had begun to build momentum at stud after launching his stallion career at Cornwall Park Stud.
He was among the standout performers of his generation in New Zealand, finishing runner-up in the Sistema Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at two, before winning the Waikato Guineas (Gr 2, 2000m) and placing in the James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at three.
He later placed in the Thorndon Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) behind Shadows Cast (Per Incanto) before reversing that result ten months later when capturing the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m).
His record also featured two gallant seconds to champion mare Melody Belle (Commands) in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and Tarzino Trophy (Gr 1, 1400m).
“He was a gentleman of a horse,” Campin said. “Wyndspelle was more than a racehorse and stallion to me. He represented four decades in this industry. His loss for me is profound.”
Campin thanked those involved throughout Wyndspelle’s career, including original owners Neil Randles and the late John Frew, along with McKellar and the Wyndholm Park team.
