Northern Baby, who sired no fewer than 47 stakes winners, was euthanatized on Wednesday at Arthur B. Hancock III’s Stone Farm near Paris, Ky. The 31-year-old son of Northern Dancer stood his last breeding season in 2000. Hancock announced in early 2001 that Northern Baby was being pensioned because of declining fertility.

“He was a real nice horse to be around, and he did very well as a stud,” Hancock. “He was a good sire, but not a spectacular sire. We sold some nice yearlings out of him, and we raced a few.”

Northern Baby’s paddock was located near the paddocks of 1998 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Wagon Limit and 1982 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Gato Del Sol.

“He was buddies with Gato, and they would nicker back and forth sometimes,” Hancock said. “Gato misses him, and so does Wagon Limit