DEATH OF A LEGEND

By Sarah Whitelaw
7 May 2002

The last remaining American Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew, has died at the age of 28. The stallion died early on Tuesday morning at Hill N’ Dale Farm. He moved there from Three Chimneys Farm a few weeks ago. 

Seattle Slew was a champion at two and three. He was unbeaten when winning the Triple Crown in 1977 but lost his next start in the Swaps Stakes. He was named Horse of the Year at three. Slew raced as a four year old and his most memorable moment came when thrashing that year's Triple Crown hero, the late Affirmed, in the Marlboro Cup. Seattle Slew was named champion older horse at four. 

Retired to stud, Seattle Slew became as good a sire as he was a racehorse. Champion sire in 1984, he sired over 100 stakes winners with champions A.P. Indy, Swale, Slew O’Gold, Surfside, Capote and Landuluce his best runners. Other Grade/Group 1 winners include Flute, Slewpy, Sierra Lake, Adored and Scorpion. He first stood at Spendthrift and later moved to Three Chimneys. Seattle Slew was a solid sire of sires represented by leading sire A.P. Indy and successful sires Capote, Slewvescent, General Meeting and Avenue of Flags. Seattle Slew was a leading broodmare sire represented by the likes of dual Horse of the Year Cigar and champions Escena, Lemon Drop Kid and Golden Attraction. 

Slew’s death comes days after the death of his champion granddaughter Tempera.