The Waikato Stud veterinary team had discovered an issue with the 10-year-old's liver two weeks ago and while he had undergone treatment at the Matamata Veterinary Services equine hospital, his condition deteriorated, and he sadly passed away.
His loss will be keenly felt at Waikato Stud, where he was completing his fifth season at stud, with his oldest crop only 3 years of age.
Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick said Sacred Falls held a special place in the hearts of the Chittick family.
“It’s been a very tough morning for all the team here as he (Sacred Falls) has been such a cool horse to be involved with,” Chittick said.
“He had a wonderful temperament and a really engaging personality and all the staff here just love him.
“He meant a lot to us all, especially as he had played such a big part in our lives during some very tough times.
“He meant a lot to us all, especially as he had played such a big part in our lives during some very tough times. " - Mark Chittick
“I have nothing but praise for our head vet, Dr Chris Phillips, his team and all the staff at Matamata Vet Services as they did everything in their power to try and save the horse but it just wasn’t to be.”
Sacred Falls was bred at Waikato Stud and was sold as a yearling to Guy Mulcaster at the 2011 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$160,000.
Sacred Falls (NZ) was bred at Waikato Stud and sold as a yearling to Guy Mulcaster
He is by Champion sire O'Reilly (NZ) out of Redoute's Choice mare Iguazu's Girl (NZ), who was a half-sister to Group 3 winner Splashing Out (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), the dam of a trio of Group winners. His second dam is the Group 3 winner (Lady) Iguazu (NZ) (Carolingian).
Raced by Raffles Racing, he made an immediate impression for trainer Tony Pike, winning his first six races, including four at stakes level, highlighted by his victory in the 2012 G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
He then transferred to Chris Waller's stables in Australia and in his first campaign, stormed home to claim the 2013 G1 Doncaster H. with jockey Tommy Berry in the saddle.
Sacred Falls (NZ) winning the 2013 G1 Doncaster H. with jockey Tommy Berry in the saddle
Twelve months later, he became the first horse in 19 years to win the famous Randwick mile back-to-back, with a similar fast-finishing success on a heavy track, but this time with Zac Purton on his back.
Later that year he would win the G1 George Main S., again with Purton aboard. All in all, he won nine races from 27 starts and over $4.6 million in prizemoney.
Waikato Stud had secured equity in Sacred Falls during his racing career and shared his three Australian Group 1 successes along with Raffles' Kyan Yap.
Sacred Falls' arrival as a stallion at Waikato Stud came shortly after the death of his legendary sire O'Reilly (NZ), a four-time winner of New Zealand's Sires Premiership.
Mark Chittick
“When O’Reilly died, Sacred Falls had just arrived at the Stud so it was like the torch had been passed from father to son so he was a very special horse for us all," Chittick said.
It was also at a time of personal tragedy for the Chittick family, with Mark's wife Lisa passing away in May 2014 after a battle with leukaemia.
“When Lisa was sick and receiving treatment, Sacred Falls brought plenty of joy for us when he won the Doncaster Handicap in 2013 and again in 2014,” he said.
Sacred Falls was immediately popular with New Zealand breeders and served books of over 100 in each of his first four years at Waikato Stud, standing at NZ$30,000. He then stood NZ$20,000 in 2019, in what was to sadly prove his final year.
Shoshone (NZ) (pictured) gave the stallion his first winner
The popularity continued in the sales ring, with his first crop of yearlings going under the hammer in 2018, with a top price of NZ$300,000 paid at Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Sale at Karaka. His second crop also proved appealing to buyers, with a top price of NZ$380,000.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Shoshone (NZ) gave the stallion his first winner when she was successful at Ellerslie in June and she is one of six winners to date, including Champagne Toots (NZ) and Holy Dancer (NZ), who have both recently won metropolitan races in Australia.
A total of 42 yearlings from his third crop will be offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales in late January.
42 yearlings from Sacred Falls' third crop will be offered at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales
“I take my hat off to Dato Yap and Bruce Sherwin at Raffles and the relationships built through Sacred Falls,” Chittick said.
“It was a moving moment when he came home to O’Reilly’s box. He was such a gentleman and a character and there was nothing you could not like about him. It’s very sad that he’s not part of the daily routine at Waikato Stud.
“He’s right beside O’Reilly in the correct manner, facing the Kaimai Ranges and the Wairere Falls, which we believe to be sacred.”
