Magic Albert passes aged 21

Magic Albert lived his life in the fast lane.

 

Speed was a major factor for Magic Albert as a racehorse and a trait he passed on to his progeny during a remarkable stud career spanning 17 seasons.

 

Travelling almost as quick was the news of his sudden passing at Kooringal Stud on August 2 – the day after his 21st birthday.

 

“Magic Albert was an amazing horse and will be sadly missed,” Kooringal Stud’s Stuart Lamont said.

 

“He did a marvellous job both on the track and as a sire.

 

“His ability to churn out winner after winner never ceased to amaze. Fittingly, he had three winners from his eight runners the day after his death.

 

“He’d been in great health so to lose him so suddenly was a shock to us all at Kooringal.”

 

Magic Albert was a classy two-year-old who followed successive wins over sprint trips at Rosehill with a third to Excellerator in the 2001 Magic Millions at the Gold Coast.

 

The son of Zeditave and Sally Lou won twice again as a juvenile before embarking on an ambitious three-year-old campaign.

 

Magic Albert kept stepping up to the mark, winning the Group 2 Peter Pan Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill and the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.

 

The chestnut made only four more appearances to boast a record of seven wins and two placings from his 13 starts and more than $471,000 in prizemoney.

 

While a Group 1 win eluded Magic Albert, he achieved the ultimate feat five times over as a sire.

 

Magic Albert started his stud career in 2002 at Yarraman Park in the Hunter Valley where he left the outstanding performers Albert The Fat (BTC Cup and Emirates Stakes) and Ilovethiscity (Randwick Guineas).

 

Transferring to Kooringal Stud in 2016, Magic Albert achieved further success in the highest company with Magic Cape (New Zealand Guineas) and Fighting Warrior (Greyville Golden Horseshoe).

 

Magic Albert added another name to his illustrious list of Group 1 performers when Aramco claimed the $800,000 Lion City Cup in Singapore in May.

More than 600 winners for Magic Albert were highlighted by 24 at stakes level and in excess of $49 million in prizemoney.

“Magic Albert was a stalwart of Australian breeding for many years and it was a privilege to have him as part of the team at Kooringal,” Stuart said.