By Sarah Whitelaw
Wilgerbosdrift's highly successful stallion Tiger Ridge died Jan. 16 as a result of a heart attack at age 18.
An exceptionally well-bred horse, Tiger Ridge was a son of leading sire Storm Cat and produced from Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, making him a half brother to classic winners A.P. Indy (Belmont Stakes, gr. I) and Summer Squall (Preakness Stakes, gr. I). A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, and Honor Grades, another half brother to Tiger Ridge, were all successful stallions. His second dam was Buckpasser matron Lassie Dear, also dam of champion sire Al Mufti.
Tiger Ridge, who was placed twice from just a handful of starts, retired to stud in Florida before he was exported to South Africa in 2006 to stand at Wilgerbosdrift, the home also to Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) winner Right Approach (Machiavellian).
The stallion was leading first crop sire in Florida and also topped the first crop sires log in South Africa, where his initial crop included nine stakes horses. His stakes winners include Strike the Tiger, who became the first North American-trained horse to win at Royal Ascot when he won the 2009 Windsor Castle Stakes.
Tiger Ridge's other stakes winners include millionaire Leah's Secret (whose nine wins included the grade II Raven Run Stakes), as well as Sansui Summer Cup (SAf-I) hero Wagner, Cherry On the Top (the second filly in history to win the South African Triple Tiara), and millionaire Kavanagh, who is currently campaigning in Dubai for trainer Mike de Kock.
Tiger Ridge had been enjoying a purple patch during the 2013-2014 season, with his runners including group II Victory Moon Stakes winner Tiger's Retreat, and promising unbeaten filly Santa Carolina.
At the time of his death, Tiger Ridge's progeny had won more than $25 million in prize money and included 29 reported stakes winners.
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