Halling, superb dual winner of both the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International, was euthanised at Dalham Hall Stud yesterday due to the infirmities of old age.
The son of Diesis, trained initially by John Gosden, did not make his racecourse debut until the age of three. His first victory that August was to initiate a remarkable eight-race winning streak.
Rounding off his British three-year-old campaign with a victory in the time-honoured Cambridgeshire Handicap, Halling then travelled to Dubai where he recorded three convincing wins during the winter.
Returning to Britain at four, Halling, now under the care of Saeed bin Suroor, kicked off his season with a thrilling win over Singspiel in the G1 Eclipse Stakes, becoming Godolphin’s tenth G1 winner in the process. He was also the first horse to carry the famous royal blue silks to victory at the highest level in Britain.
An easy win in the G1 Juddmonte International followed and after a second winter in Dubai, Halling returned at five with a victory in the G1 Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp before completing another outstanding Eclipse/ Juddmonte double.
Retired to stand at Dalham Hall in 1997, Halling forged a very successful stallion career and was renowned for siring consistent, determined and talented offspring. In 2004, Halling returned to Dubai where he spent three seasons at Emirates Stud Farm from where he sired G1 winner Cutlass Bay, the most notable of his UAE-born runners.
To date, Halling has sired over 50 Stakes winners, including last year’s Irish Derby hero Jack Hobbs, plus fellow G1 winners Cavalryman and Empoli. Retired from stud duties in 2014, Halling saw out his retirement at Dalham Hall Stud.
Liam O’Rourke, Godolphin Stud Director said, “Halling had a wonderful temperament both in and out of his stable which he passed on to his stock. He will be much missed by all of the staff here at Dalham Hall”.
