The talented Malibu Spring, 2022 Horse of the Year in Argentina, has died at Haras Vikeda
- Turf Diario
- hace 4 días
- 3 Min. de lectura
The son of Greenspring, who was also Champion Miler and Champion Older Horse, could not overcome an episode of colic; he left 30 mares in foal from his only breeding season
If there was one thing Malibu Spring never had, it was health. Owner of a brilliant campaign despite recurring physical problems, he found no peace when retired to stud either. He missed his first two seasons due to those issues at the Estación de Montas La Mission, and it was only in 2025 that he was able to cover a book of 30 mares at Haras Vikeda, where he was born and whose colors he defended (Stud El Irlandés).
However, nothing was easy for him, with many episodes of colic that put his life at stake several times, until a few days ago, during the eighth such occurrence, his heart said enough and he died. He was only 8 years old, and his loss was deeply felt.
"It was already getting hard for him to respond to antibiotics; his health had been deteriorating. What he had in talent, he lacked in health. Our only consolation is that last season we were able to breed 30 mares to him, and we look forward to those foals with great hope, although losing him was an immense sadness," Tomás Kehoe, owner of Vikeda, told Turf Diario while confirming the news.
The campaign of Malibu Spring, the best South American horse of 2022 according to international ratings, had ended in February 2023. His team prioritized not risking him further after some symptoms the chestnut had been showing during his morning works.
Possessing formidable conditions, the sesamoid fracture he suffered as a yearling was a lifelong constraint. Under the training of Marcelo Sueldo, Malibu Spring raced 10 times and prevailed in 9 of them, from 1200 meters up to 2000, passing effectively through 1400, the mile, and also 1800, totaling 18,189,000 pesos in earnings. His most important victories came in the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1) and Gran Premio Palermo (G1), also winning the Clásico Clausura (G2), Clásico Perú (G2), Clásico 25 de Mayo de 1810 (G2), and Clásico Haras Argentinos (L).
Malibu Spring offered an interesting genetic profile, as he extended the sire line of the formidable Blushing Groom(Red God), which yielded such great results in this country—most notably through his son Candy Stripes—serving as a phenomenal outcross for the Mr. Prospector (Raise a Native) and Northern Dancer (Nearctic) lines that dominate local and global breeding.
The star was out of Matsumura (Editor's Note), who won 3 races during her campaign but has proven outstanding at stud, also producing the G3 winner Misty Spring, the stakes winner Madonna Girl, and the very useful Madero Girl, all also by Greenspring.
What Malibu Spring left on the tracks was unforgettable, so much so that in 2022 he was elected Horse of the Year, Champion Miler, and Champion Older Horse. Now, one must wait to see if any of his few offspring will inherit his enormous racing ability. He was a beloved horse, one who garnered applause and praise. One of those that will be missed.
