Korea's Top Stallion Dead At 23
Dual Group winning and dual classic-placed Menifee, who was a prominent sire for the growing Korean breeding industry, has passed away, from a reported heart attack at the KRA Stud Farm on Jeju Island. The 23-year-old Harlan horse died June 13.
Menifee, who raced as a homebred for Arthur Hancock III's Stone Farm, in partnership with James H. Stone, won 5 of 11 starts and only missed the board once while earning more than US$1.7 million. A runner-up effort in the Tampa Bay Derby and a victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes propelled him into the 1999 Triple Crown series, where he finished second by a neck to Charismatic in the Kentucky Derby, second by 1 1/2 lengths to that same foe in the Preakness Stakes, and eighth in the Belmont Stakes.
Power Blade is one of five Korean Derby winners sired by Menifee, along with champion filly Queen's Blade, who also won the Korean Oaks; Speedy First, who also won both those races; champion Final Boss; and Yeongcheon Ace. He is also the sire of 2014 Horse of the Year Gyeongbudaero and champion Meni Money.
Menifee's most successful runner from his time standing in the U.S. was Game Face, who won the Grade 1 Princess Rooney and five other graded stakes. He is also the sire of three-time graded stakes winner Just Jenda and graded stakes winners Burnish, Letgomyecho, Tattinger Rose, and Wow Me Free.
Credit – www.drf.com