Haras du Quesnay's leading sire Anabaa (Danzig--Balbonella {Fr}, by Gay Mecene) died of acute peritonitis after colic surgery Monday, according to a press release from the French nursery. He was 17. Bred by Gainsborough Farm, the son of Group 1 winner Balbonella was suspected to be a wobbler as a juvenile and was reportedly under consideration to be euthanized, but was turned over to Alec Head and eventually recovered.

The dark bay had a quiet campaign at three in 1995 for Criquette Head-Maarek, finishing third in the Listed Prix Contessina while winning twice in six starts, before emerging as a star sprinter at four. Anabaa captured five of six outings in 1996, including the G1 Darley July Cup, G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, G2 Prix du Gros Chene and G3 Prix de Saint-Georges, and finished second in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp. He retired with a record of 13-8-2-1 and earnings of $481,879 and quickly established himself as a desirable stallion. After siring G1 Prix du Jockey-Club hero Anabaa Blue (GB) and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Amonita (GB) in his first crop, Anabaa was represented by six Group 1 winners during his Southern Hemisphere stints.

Among his top-level winners Down Under was Virage de Fortune (Aus), who later sold for a then-record A$3.4 million when sold as a racing/broodmare prospect in 2007. The unquestioned star of his 2005 crop was Goldikova (Ire), who captured the G1 Prix Rothschild and G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp before posting a brilliant win in the 2008 GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita. Anabaa stood the 2007 breeding season at Castleton Lyons in Kentucky before returning to Haras du Quesnay.

He covered 85 mares this past spring, including Goldikova's dam Born Gold (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and Marie Rheinberg (Ger) (Surako {Ger}), whose son Le Havre (Ire) (Noverre) landed this year's G1 Prix du Jockey-Club. Anabaa, a half-brother to Group 1 winner Always Loyal (Zilzal) and GSW Key of Luck (Chief's Crown), has been represented by 66 black-type winners (10 percent of foals) to date.