NZ stallion Savile Row dies of a heart attack

Trice Group 1-placed New Zealand stallion Savile Row has died just a week out from what would have been his ninth season at stud.

The son of Makfi, a Listed winner who was runner-up in a Group 1 Levin Classic, 2000 Guineas and Herbie Dyke Stakes, suffered a heart attack on Monday, Brighthill Farm and Henrietta, Duchess Of Bedford have announced.

Savile Row, who was trained by the late Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, was 13.

He started his stud career at the late Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs stud at Matamata before transferring to Mapperley Stud for the past four seasons.

Savile Row, who relocated to Nick King’s Brighthill Farm in June, has sired 14 winners from limited opportunities including the stakes-placed fillies She Suits Herself and Perfectly Suited.

He had covered just four mares in the past two years but the Duchess Of Bedford was determined to continue to support the stallion hence the move to Brighthill.

“Many will think I have gone a bit mad, however he is a stallion in whom I really believe, as did his breeder, my friend Kevin Hickman,” Bedford said in June.

“Tragically Kevin died in August 2024 and due to his illness was never able to promote him as he would have wanted. Kevin bought his dam Fleece from me at the Tattersalls December Sales, so I have always felt in a way that I had played a role in his very existence.

“I kept in touch with Kevin’s wife Jo and about a month ago went to see her about Savile Row, as I knew she was anxious about his future.

“To cut a long story short, I asked if I could buy him and it was a combination of relief and delight for all parties, including Kevin’s daughter Jasmine.”