Champion Brood Passes Away Peacefully

CHAMPION brood Solar Pak has passed away peacefully following a brief battle with illness.

An eight-time winner during her racing career, Solar Pak, a daughter of the hugely influential Tifi, was a more than handy racer for trainer Chris O'Brien and owner Barry Ward.

But it's been in the breeding barn where she has left an everlasting legacy, producing countless top class performers, headlined by champion brothers Feral Franky and Good Odds Harada.

"It's been a sad couple of days," owner Barry Ward said.

"We hoped she had a few years left in her but it wasn't to be. It's hard to put into words what she's been able to achieve and what she leaves behind."

With her progeny boasting $2.6m in earnings, Solar Pak sits just second to Ready To Riot ($2.9m) as the all-time greatest prizemoney earning dam. 

Her three litters to race by Fernando Bale (‘15), Collision (‘17) and Barcia Bale (‘18) have faced the starter on 1037 occasions for 271 victories and 363 placings.

That's a win strike-rate of 26 per cent and place strike-rate of 60 per cent.

But while the generational brood has now passed away, the indelible mark she has left behind will carry on through her offspring.

"She has a litter to Kinloch Brae which are just over 12 months old and she's also got two pups to Zambora Brockie which are three months of age," Ward said.

"She's given us so many great memories but I think the night Good Odds Harada won the Million Dollar Chase stands out above the rest. That was a really proud moment to have bred the winner of the world's richest race."

With Feral Franky and Good Odds Harada doing their thing at stud, daughters of Solar Pak are beginning to create a big impression in the breeding barn also.

Former classy stayer Zagati has produced the sensational Miss Ezmae while Nino De Oro is responsible for the hugely talented Good Odds Cash.

"And there's other daughters with pups on the ground which are showing plenty of promise as well," Ward said.

"She's going to be sadly missed but she's left behind a huge footprint on the sport. I couldn't be prouder.”