Fort Wood, the great Maritzfontein Stud stallion, owned by the late Bridget and Harry Oppenheimer, has died.

Stud manager Guy Murdoch  confirmed that Fort Wood took ill and died of heart failure. He was 24.

The sire of the all time great,  Horse Chestnut, he was one of South Africa's most influential stallions and had both the pedigree and race record to boot. He was a revelation when he entered Stud in South Africa and has had an impact like very few on shaping the breed in South Africa. 

PEDIGREE: Sadler´s Wells (USA) — Fall Aspen (USA) (Pretense (GB)) 
TRAINER: A Fabre
OWNER: Sheikh Mohammed
BREEDER: Hullin Co N V

Gr1 winners incl.
* Horse Chestnut (95c – Col Pickering, Grey Sovereign; TFR 125) Horse of the Year 1995
* Dynasty (99c – Commodore Blake, Joy II; MR 114) Horse of the Year 1999
* Elusive Fort (02c – Secret Prospector, Oak Dancer; MR 113)
* Hunting Tower (02c – Royal Chalice, Super Concorde; MR 112)
* Fort Defiance (95c – Home Guard, Regent Street; MR 112)
* Celtic Grove (97c – Welsh Saint, Prince Regent; MR 110) Horse of the Year 1997
* Forest Path (05c – Northern Guest, Royal Prerogative; MR 107)
* Urabamba (04f – Our Casey’s Boy, Perou; MR 102)
* Thundering Star (03c – Foveros, Dancing Champ; MR 102)
* Kimberley Mine (96f – Mogambo US, Bold Forbes; MR 101)
* Wendywood (04f – Foveros, Boot Camp; MR 100)
* Shadow Dancing (01f – Complete Warrior, Jamaico; MR 100)
* Heir Apparent (00c – Al Mufti, Gatecrasher; MR 98)
* Dog Wood (95f – Elliodor, Roland Gardens)