Rising star Queensland-based sire Mahisara has been euthanised after suffering an inoperable twisted bowel.
Mahisara counted the Group Three Sandown Stakes and the Listed Tatt's Australia Stakes among his seven race wins for trainer Paul Messara.
A son of champion sire More Than Ready, Mahisara has been standing at Wattle Brae Stud, on the Darling Downs.
His oldest progeny have just turned four and the performance of some of them saw renewed interest in the stallion for the coming breeding season.
A shattered studmaster Gary Turkington said it was a blow for the whole Queensland breeding industry.
“I went up to feed the stallions and he took a look at the feed bin and went straight outside, lay down and rolled,” Turkington said.
“We called the vet immediately but Mahisara had a badly twisted bowel and there was no choice but to euthanise him.”
“He was just starting to get the recognition he deserved through horses like Mahis Angel, Kim Alicia and Miss Sara who were showing middle-distance ability.
“I think this would have been his season.”