Leading sire NUREYEV (Northern Dancer), one of a very select group to have more than 100 stakes winners, died Monday at Walmac International near Lexington, Kentucky. He was 24 and had a cancerous tumor in his right front hoof.

"Nureyev was a very courageous horse," said John T. L. Jones, Jr., president of Walmac. "He wasn't blessed with the greatest fertility in the world, but he cooperated with us, and we helped him put his progeny on the map. He went through a terrible accident (in 1987), and was smart and cooperative enough to help us save him. This time, there wasn't anything we could do for him. Like great friends and great people you know, you're going to miss them."

Nureyev began his stud career in France in 1981 and had 10 stakes winners from his first crop. He was moved to Walmac for the next year's season.

Nureyev was produced by Special (*Forli) and was a half-brother to Fairy Bridge (Bold Reason), the dam of leading sire Sadler's Wells, also a son of Northern Dancer. Nureyev sold for a sale-topping $1.3 million as a 1978 Keeneland July yearling. He was the 1980 champion miler in France.

Nureyev will be best remembered for his success in the breeding shed, however. His top offspring include Theatrical (Ire), Miesque, Spinning World, Peintre Celebre, Soviet Star, Sonic Lady, Zilzal, Fasliyev, Reams of Verse and Flagbird, all champions or European highweights. This year, he's been represented by Pacific Classic (G1) winner Skimming and two-time Grade 1 winner Senure.

Miesque became the first horse to capture Breeders' Cup events in consecutive years, taking the Mile (G1) in 1987 and the next year. Also on the '87 Cup card, Theatrical took the Turf (G1), giving Nureyev a sweep of the two turf events at Hollywood Park.

His daughters have produced such stars as Zabeel, Kingmambo, East of the Moon, Peteski, Matiara, Manistique, Loup Sauvage and Desert King. Through the end of Monday, the legendary sire has 130 stakes winners.