Passing of Famous International Racehorse Falbrav at 26 in Japan

Falbrav, a highly accomplished racehorse, trained by Luciano d’Auria in Italy and later by Luca Cumani in Newmarket, passed away on Friday morning. He had the unique achievement of winning eight Group 1 races in five different countries. Falbrav had retired from stallion duties in Japan in 2015 due to health issues but remained at Shadai Stallion Station. According to Shadai manager Eisuke Tokutake, Falbrav had been experiencing some colic and general health problems since the end of the previous year. He passed away at 11:30 am due to old age.

As a young horse, Falbrav was a winner and finished second in the Italian Derby. However, his breakthrough came as a four-year-old when he won both the Premio Presidente della Repubblica and Gran Premio di Milano, two prestigious Group 1 races in Italy. He then triumphed in the Japan Cup after a daring raid. Falbrav also won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. His career culminated with a victory in the 2003 Hong Kong Cup. Frankie Dettori was his jockey for many of these notable wins.

After his racing career, Falbrav spent most of his stallion life in Japan but also had a brief tenure at Cheveley Park Stud in England and shuttled to Arrowfield Stud in Australia. Though he was not particularly successful as a stallion, he had some notable offspring. Fananulter won the Summer Mile at Ascot in 2012, and Fravashi was a Group 2 winner in Australia. In Japan, his descendants, including I’m Yours, One Carat, A Shin Virgo, and Transwarp, achieved multiple wins at the graded level. However, Falbrav’s impact as a broodmare sire was more significant, with notable winners such as Japanese 1,000 Guineas winner Harp Star and Mile Championship scorer Stelvio.

Published on 13 January 2024 in [International](/bloodstock/news/international/) Last updated 15:38, 13 January 2024.