Death of former shuttler due to colic at the age of 25 announced

Orpen (Lure) has died at the age of 25 due to colic. 

Bought for US$525,000 at the 1996 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Orpen won the 1998 Prix Morny (Gr 1, 1200m) as a two-year-old for Aidan O’Brien and had four runs at three with his best performance coming when third in the Irish 2000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m). 

He was retired to stud in Ireland following his three-year-old season and shuttled to Australia for four seasons between 2000 and 2003 and then later shuttled to South America having been based at Haras du Thenney in France. 

He has sired 113 stakes winners to date headed by 22 Group / Grade 1 winners that included his Australian-bred globetrotting son War Artist. 

Orpen is reported to have remained fertile in his later years and covered 100 mares last year.