PULPIT DIES AGED 18

Pulpit
(Image : TheState/AFPilot)

PULPIT (USA)
A.P. Indy - Preach
1994 - 2012

Pulpit (A.P. Indy - Preach, by Mr. Prospector) died in his paddock at Claiborne Farm yesterday.

The 18-year-old stallion had shown no signs of ill health in the weeks and days prior to his death. “We are all shocked and very sad,” said farm manager Bradley Purcell. “Pulpit has meant so much to Claiborne Farm, first as a racehorse and later as a stallion. Thankfully, we know his legacy will continue on through his sons and daughters.”

Bred and raced by Claiborne, Pulpit captured the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes in 1997. He entered stud at his birthplace in 1998 and sired 11 US Grade 1 winners including successful sires Tapit and Sky Mesa. He has 38 Graded stakes winners, 63 stakes winners, and over 100 stakes horses to his credit including Corinthian, Essence of Dubai, Purge, Pyro and Hansen to mention but a few.

This year, Pulpit has been represented by Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes hero Power Broker and recent winner of the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes, Sign.

Pulpit will be buried at Claiborne Farm.

Extracts from Claiborne Farm

Comments

[Norman]

A sudden death without any scientific explanation is a serious concern and even worse, for the death of PULPIT. Come On Man! There must be an explanation, so that the industry can learn from it.

[Mick Goss]

Good Morning Norman

Many thanks for your interest in our site, and your comments regarding Pulpit. Claiborne have always been discreet about the death of horses on the farm, particularly when they die of natural or fairly common causes. It seems this horse was in perfectly good health, and his death was largely unexpected, which suggests a heart attack or something of the sort.

However, I do recall them losing a valuable mare about ten years ago as a result of an accident in the paddock during the night, when she ran into the watchman’s vehicle. They made a full disclosure on that occasion, so I suppose if they felt it was warranted in this case, they would’ve done the same.

Pulpit constitutes an enormous loss not only to Claiborne, but to the whole industry, and he must’ve meant an awful lot to Seth and the Claiborne team. It does seem though, that in First Samurai, they have a young horse that’s on his way. These animals are the lifeblood of any successful farm of their size and history, so we wish them well.

Warm regards,
Mick Goss