2009 News
October 27, 2009
Vodka's broodmare sire, Rousillon, dies of natural causes
Rousillon, a two-time European Group 1 winner and long-time stallion in Japan, died on Monday due to natural causes. He was 28-years old.
The winner of the 1985 Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (France) and Sussex Stakes (Great Britian), Rousillon finished his career as a racehorse with seven wins in 13 starts. He succeeded as a stallion in Great Britian after retirement, most notably as the father to Group 1 Irish St. Leger winner Vintage Crop (1993, 1994). Beginning his stud career in Japan in 1991, he produced top-ranked horses such as Intelli Power (2000 Kawasaki Kinen) and Meiner Bridge (1995 NHK Cup, Fukushima Kinen, 1997 Tanabata Sho).
More recently, Rousillon was widely known in Japan as the broodmare sire to Vodka, the reigning Japan Racing Association's Horse of the Year. Vodka's broodmare, Tanino Sister, marked five wins and six runnerups in 33 starts before retiring in 1998.
In Japan, Rousillon was stationed at JBBA Shizunai and Shichinohe Stallion Stations, before spending his retirement days at JBBA Nasu Stallion Station since 2005.
