HEVERSHAM Park Farm’s resurgent and popular resident Great Britain (GB) was euthanased on Saturday, 1 December, after suffering a broken foreleg.
Heversham Park owner, Advocate Nigel Riley, wrote in a media release: “It is with great regret that we announce the death of Great Britain.
“Due to his owner Grant Maroun still having a number of mares to cover late in the breeding season it was decided to temporarily relocate the horse to his property on the East Rand for purposes of convenience.
“Great Britain left Heversham Park last Thursday. Unfortunately on Saturday morning he fractured a foreleg necessitating him being euthanased on humane grounds. All of the staff at Heversham Park are devastated as he had become a firm favourite of the farm.
“We send our deepest condolences to Grant and Leanne as we are aware of the special place Great Britain held in their hearts.”
Great Britain, a full brother to international Gr1 sire Cape Cross, won the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai like champions J J The Jet Plane, Ortensia and Shea Shea.
He came to stud at Highlands Farm in 2013 and was later moved to the Karoo for a short spell before relocating to Heversham Park in South Gauteng.
At stud, he was known for producing many easy-to-train, hard-knocking horses including stakes winners Al Mariachi, Wrecking Ball and Queen Laurie, also multiple winners Great Shaka, Hashtag Strat, Mystical Twilight, Prince Alfred and the exported Falkland.
Great Britain covered more than 40 mares this season at Heversham Park.