Peruvian farm: Stallions killed 'in the most nightmarish way'

After the operation’s night watchman was shot and four stallions killed, including The Lieutenant, a half-brother of Triple Crown winner Justify, Peru’s Haras Barlovento issued a statement believing it has a motive for the crime.

“The criminals who entered our stud killed our four stallions with axes to sell their meat in the most nightmarish way imaginable,” an Instagram post, translated by The Thoroughbred Daily News, reads from Haras Barlovento.

“Together with the meat of the four stallions, the medicines of the stud and the generator were taken. Our only wish is for these criminals to be subject to the full weight of the law.”

The incident is a reminder of 2009 in this same region when Drilling for Oil, a member of Triple Crown winner Affirmed’s family, was said to be stolen and butchered for his meat.

BloodHorse’s Eric Mitchell spoke this week with Dante Zanelli, whose company arranged for The Lieutenant, along with Cyrus Alexander and Timely Advice, to ship to Peru. Kung Fu Mambo was the fourth stallion killed overnight Saturday into Sunday.

While Haras Barlovento is in a stable area of Peru, Zanelli told BloodHorse that there may not be a "knowledge of their horses and a culture of appreciation for the horse” for intruders to the farm to realize the gravity of their acts.

Whether this is believed to be an isolated event, or a sign that sending stallions to South American farms represents a risk, may make an impact on this sector of the industry. The Lieutenant makes Sequel New York his home for most of the year, shuttling for the Southern Hemisphere’s breeding season — similar to California Chrome and his past moves to Chile.

The Lieutenant, a 6-year-old by Street Sense, made his final season on track in 2018 his best for trainer Michael McCarthy, winning a Grade 3 race and competing in events such as the Pacific Classic (G1) and Suburban (G2).

Cyrus Alexander, a 7-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, was a former Jerry Hollendorfer trainee who won the 2016 Lone Star Park Handicap (G3) and closed his career with a victory in that year’s Pa Derby Champion Stakes at Parx.

Timely Advice, a 14-year by A.P. Indy, was less accomplished on track, competing in but never winning a stakes race. Being out of a Holy Bull mare made his bloodlines coveted.

Argentine-bred Kung Fu Mambo, the other stallion killed, won a Group 1 event in Peru before coming to the U.S. to campaign in 2015. He took his allowance optional claiming debut for trainer Peter Miller but retired thereafter with a tendon injury.

“We want to thank the countless calls and text messages of friends and also people we do not know with comforting words in these difficult times that we are living in,” Haras Barlovento’s statement reads, “in the wake of the terrible events that occurred.”