Leading international sire Sadler’s Wells died of natural causes the afternoon of April 26 at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, where he had resided since retiring to stud in 1984.

Coolmore manager Christy Grassick said, "He was undoubtedly the best sire Europe has ever seen and through his sons Galileo, Montjeu, High Chaparral, and Yeats along with grandsons Hurricane Run and Rip Van Winkle, he has left a wonderful legacy at Coolmore and his influence looks set to continue for many years to come. We all feel privileged to have been involved with such a special horse."

Sadler’s Wells was retired from stud duty in May 2008 due to declining fertility.

The 30-year-old son of Northern Dancer was bred in Kentucky by Robert Sangster’s Swettenham Stud and Partners. Sadler’s Wells raced for Sangster, winning such events at age three in 1984 as the Airlie Coolmore Irish Two Thousand Guineas, Coral-Eclipse Stakes in England, and Phoenix Champion Stakes in Ireland. In France, where he ran second in that year’s Prix du Jockey-Club, he was a champion miler. He was trained by Vincent O’Brien, father-in-law of Coolmore managing partner John Magnier