Famed reining horse sire Gallo Del Cielo, better known as “Rooster,” died Aug. 20 at the age of 26.

Rooster, by Peppy San Badger and out of Doc’s Starlight, was owned by and stood at stud at the Polo Ranch in Marietta, Oklahoma.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rooster due to an accident the morning of Aug. 20,” the Polo Ranch said in a statement. “Up to that day, he had enjoyed good health and had just finished a successful breeding season. It has been a great privilege to own and stand Rooster and to have enjoyed the many friendships and people we have met because of him.”

A National Reining Horse Association $3 million dollar sire, Rooster was bred and trained as a cutting horse. Although he acquired less than $30,000 in National Cutting Horses Association winnings, in the reining world he has sired offspring earning $5.9 million and, in 2014, was ranked the seventh leading lifetime reining sire by Equi-stat. He also sired cow horses, cutters, ranch performers, and rodeo mounts

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