BREEDER'S CUP CHAMPION/SIRE COZZENE DEAD
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Cozzene, a 28-year-old stallion by the Prince John mare Ride the Trails, was euthanized October 7 at the Beck family's Gainesway Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. He lived longer than expected.
Winner of the Breeder's Cup Mile in 1984 at Hollywood Park, Cozzene sired Breeder's Cup champions Alphabet Soup and Tikkanen. Alphabet Soup beat Cigar in the Breeder's Cup Classic (GI), and Tikkanen won the Breeder's Cup Turf (GII) in 1994, in course-record time at Churchill Downs.
Being a grey horse, Cozzene was exposed to melanoma, a disease common to grey horses. He had already had it, and was able to walk only, but he seemed to be in no pain and therefore kept on his stud career, which started in 1986 when Gainesway was owned by its founder, John R. Gaines. Just recently he began to experience pain, and was put down so he would not have to suffer. Cozzene was a recognized and loved stallion in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. He sired 81 stakes winners (9% of foals), and 79% of his progeny were starters, 59% were winners.
Cozzene sired Canadian champions Cozzene's Prince, Hasten to Add, and Santa Amelia; English champion Environment Friend; three-time Japan champion Admire Cozzene; and Italian champion Grey Way. Other noted progeny are Arlington Million Stakes (GII) winner Star of Cozzene; Canadian classic winner Lodge Hill; millionaire mare Moxzene; and grade I winners Star Over the Bay, Gaviola, Mizzen Mast, and Zoftig.
Cozzene is represented by 156 stakes winners and progeny earnings of $80 million.
Raced nine times on dirt, with three wins, before being switched to grass, Cozzene earned a record of ten wins out of twenty-four starts and earnings of $978,152. He is certainly a champion to be remembered. ~Equine Lover
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