One of Thoroughbred racing’s premier stallions, Dynaformer, died at the age of 27 at Robert and Blythe Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm, in Versailles, Ky., on April 29.

The stallion, known internationally for siring such top class athletes as Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Barbaro, Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) winner Americain, and $4.7 million dollar-earner Perfect Drift, had been pensioned after suffering an aortic valve rupture the afternoon of April 14 while in his stall.

An ultrasound performed the following day revealed several holes in Dynaformer’s heart as a result of the cardiac event, one measuring eight centimeters long and two others measuring two centimeters each.

Dynaformer had been resting comfortably, eating well, and maintaining his daily turnout routine in the days following the scare, but his health took a turn the evening of April 28