Last year's US Horse of the Year Saint Liam was euthanized on Tuesday afternoon following a freak fall. The horse had just ended his first season at stud and has 115 mares in foal to him. Saint Liam was standing at Lane's End Farm.

He was named Horse of the Year last year after winning four Gr1 races. He ended his career on a high note, taking out the Breeders Cup Classic. His other Gr1 successes came in the Donn Handicap, Stephen Foster Hcp and the Woodward Stakes. Saint Liam's win in the Woodward was arguably his most impressive win and made up for his short head defeat by Ghostzapper in the same race a year before.

He won nine of his 20 starts and over $4.4 million. Saint Liam, the best son of his ill-fated sire, is a descendant of the great mare Gallorette. He was trained by Rick Dutrow.

His death marks the continuing bad luck that has dogged North American racing of late. Following Barbaro's breaking down in the Preakness, star sprinter Lost In The Fog was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Saint Liam's death is particularly sad as sire Saint Ballado died young and has no successful son at stud.