Champion mare – Circles of Gold passes away peacefully
One of the most successful broodmares in Australian racing over the past two decades, Circles Of Gold, has died at the age of 25.
Trainer Tony Vasil, who had a career-defining involvement with her progeny, described Circles of Gold’s passing as a “sad day”.
Vasil trained two of the mare’s champion racehorses – international group 1-winning stallions Elvstroem and Haradasun – who both proved outstanding racehorses and their deeds took their mother’s breeding profile to one of international acclaim.
“Sure it’s a sad day, but she had a wonderful career and was well looked after. And I had her best two colts and they were amazing racehorses,” Vasil said.
“Elvstroem was a great galloper who raced in a period of some great horses and won a Caulfield Cup and finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup in a year that the track was downgraded to slow, which cost him any chance of winning.”
To show the depth of the horses Elvstroem raced against during his time on the track, the stallion managed to beat champion mare Makybe Diva in the Caulfield Cup.
Circles Of Gold also produced high class mare group 1-placed Hveger who was the mother of Highland Reel, one of the best racehorses in the world. As well she is the mother of Idaho who was placed in an English Derby.
Segenhoe Stud announced on Wednesday the passing of Circles Of Gold, winner of the 1995 group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
The daughter of Marscay finished her racetrack career with almost $1 million in prizemoney but will be remembered primarily for her achievements at stud.
Msg from Peter O’Brien – Segenhoe’s GM – It is with deep sadness that I have to report that Champion Broodmare Circles Of Gold passed away peacefully and quietly today at Segenhoe.
I had the true honour to have been associated with her for 21 of her 25 years and she truly was one of a kind . A beautifully quiet mare who’s exploits through her daughters and granddaughters will continue on for many years to come and it is fitting that her Grandson #HighlandReel won the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Sunday to highlight her lineage.
She will be buried alongside her great mates and champions also #Parfore and #Skating on top of a hill at Segenhoe and I would like to thank Frank Tagg , Frank Meduri and Garry Moffit her owners who have spared no expense with her care long after she retired from breeding.
She will be sorely missed by all at Segenhoe and everyone is acutely aware of the privilege it was to have been associated with her . RIP