Top breeding stallion Banks Fee Daniel (pictured), a leading sire of show jumpers, was put down on 21 May following a leg injury.
The 20-year-old Irish Draught, by Skippy out of a mare by Power Station, sustained a fractured tibia after being kicked while performing stud duties.
Owner Maggie Spreckley-Dollard paid tribute: “It was a sad and tragic death. He was one of my best friends and his demise has left a huge hole in our lives.”
The 16.3hh bay was one of only 10 UK registered Irish Draught stallions approved by the Irish Horse Board.
In 2005, he was ranked within the top 25% of the United States Equestrian Federation’s list of leading sires of show jumpers.
Mrs Spreckley-Dollard added: “The years had been kind to him and at the time of his death he was incredibly well and the same larger than life character he had been all his life.”
Daniel had consistently covered a large number of mares over an 18-year career both in the UK and the US, leaving stock such as Raunds Spring Bank Holly and Galatea.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (14 June, ’07)
