At 20 years old, the stallion Lizard Island passed away at Haras Ojos Azules

A sire and grandsire of multiple Group 1 winners, Lizard Island had arrived at Haras Ojos Azules in 2024, following successful stints at Haras Abolengo and Haras La Pasión

Lizard Island, a stallion of remarkable generosity and lasting influence / HARAS ABOLENGO

Argentine breeding has lost one of its most consistent and generous stallions of recent times. Lizard Island (Danehill Dancer–Add, by Spectacular Bid) passed away at Haras Ojos Azules in Entre Ríos, where he had begun standing last season.

Imported from the United States by Haras Abolengo in 2009, the handsome 20-year-old bay became synonymous with reliability, class, and transmission—three traits that made him one of the true metronomes of Argentine breeding. His offspring brought great satisfaction to breeders and owners alike, while leaving an indelible mark on the modern Thoroughbred industry.

A son of the outstanding Danehill Dancer, Lizard Island raced in the Coolmore colors, capturing the Railway Stakes (G2) at The Curragh in Ireland over 1200 meters on turf. He also finished second in the Vintage Stakes (G2) at Goodwood and fourth in the National Stakes (G1)—all as a 2-year-old—displaying the early quality he would later pass on as a sire.

Success came swiftly once he entered stud duty. His very first crop produced two G1-winning champions, Malacostumbrada and Emirate’s Girl, the latter a record-setting mare. Later came other top performers such as Contessa Linda—Argentina’s Champion 2-Year-Old Filly of 2014—and the brilliant sprinter Queen Liz, both Group 1 winners. In total, Lizard Island sired 36 stakes winners, including 16 graded and 4 Group 1 winners, cementing his status among the most influential stallions of the past two decades in Argentina.

His list of notable performers also includes Celestial Filly, Notable Island, Capa Que Sí, Extra Quiz, Es Sicario, Tooru, Emberinado, Paliza Salvaje, Frío Island, Demostrable, Vecina Bella, Sarónico Island, Muñeca Soñada, Malenchini, Fancy Model, and Aggiornado, among many others.

In recent years, Lizard Island had also begun to excel as a broodmare sire, extending his influence internationally. Through his daughters, he is responsible for Japan’s Champion Filly Resistencia (Heart’s Cry), regional star Treasure Island (Treasure Beach)—one of South America’s top older horses—and G1 winner Infartame (Equal Stripes), as well as multiple G2 victress Issa (Equal Stripes).

Another of his major contributions to Argentine breeding was siring Cosmic Trigger, the undefeated maternal brother to the great Candy Ride (Ride the Rails) and now one of the country’s leading stallions, standing at Haras Abolengo.

In 2024, he relocated to Haras Ojos Azules, sharing stallion duties with G1 winner Expressive Smart (Expressive Halo), embarking on what was to be a new phase of his career—tragically cut short by his sudden passing.

With his loss, Argentine racing and breeding bid farewell to a stallion of immense value—an accomplished sire, proven broodmare sire, and a true transmitter of class and soundness. His legacy, however, will endure for years to come—both on the racetrack and deep within the pedigrees of generations to follow.