Breed-shaping New Zealand sire Zabeel has died at the age of 29.
 
A New Zealand multiple champion sire and a sire of sires, Zabeel passed away peacefully Sept. 26 in the paddock he had occupied at Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud since 1991. He was a son of the stud's foundation sire, Sir Tristram, and had been a pensioner since 2013 following declining fertility.
 
Like Sir Tristram, Zabeel was a great influence on Australasian racing and breeding. He was a six-time leading sire in New Zealand (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2009, and 2010) and a two-time champion sire in Australia (1998 and 1999).
 
"He was a sire who excelled at the very highest level and was able to carry on where his own great sire Sir Tristram had left off," Hogan said in a statement.
 
"Zabeel contributed to the Thoroughbred industry and excelled above all expectations and having enjoyed his retirement for the past few years he will be sadly missed by all here at Cambridge Stud.
 
"He will be buried alongside his sire Sir Tristram in the very same tradition, with his tail facing the sunrise and his head facing the sunset."
 
From 22 crops, Zabeel is the sire of 169 stakes winners, including 110 group or graded winners--44 at the highest level--and eight champions, according to Jockey Club statistics. His offspring have amassed $130,191,674 in progeny earnings, through Sept. 24. His best performers include Australian Horses of the Year Octagonal (1996) and Might And Power (1998 and 1999).
 
Prominent sons in the stud include Octagonal; Savabeel, who was New Zealand leading sire last season; Reset; Don Eduardo; and Zed, New Zealand's leading sire for the current season, and 2010-2011 leading Australian sire Lonhro, whose first North American crop are 2-year-olds this year.
 
Zabeel also was effective as a broodmare sire, topping the New Zealand list for the 2013-2014 season and for 2012-2013 and 2011-2012. His daughters produced 147 stakes winners, including 95 graded or group winners and 14 champions, among them 2013 New Zealand Horse of the Year Ocean Park, also a champion miler in Australia.
 
Zabeel, who was out of 1995 Australian Broodmare of the Year Lady Giselle, by Nureyev, retired to Cambridge Stud in 1991 after a successful racing career that included victory in the 1990 Australian Guineas (Aus-I).
 
"Zabeel gave so many people though his progeny the greatest thrill of winning so many races at the highest level," Hogan said. "He surpassed all stallions that have come before him, past and present in New Zealand. (The winners of ) four Cox Plates and three Melbourne Cups...what more can you say?
 
"So a big thank you from all and God bless, rest in peace."