One of the best performing stallions the world has ever seen has passed away at the age of 30 at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

Sadler’s Wells notched up some incredible figures as a sire and his value to Coolmore will live on even after his death.

He was crowned the best performing sire in Britain and Ireland on an incredible 14 occasions.

He was active at stud up until 2008 when he was retired at 27 years of age and his offspring have claimed a massive 106 European Group 1 victories including 23 Classics throughout Britain, Ireland and France.

Sadler’s Wells was the undisputed champion sire right up until 2005 when his reign was broken by Danehill, however he still remained champion broodmare sire the same year.

In a statement from Coolmore Stud they expressed their pride at what the horse had acheived.

“He was undoubtedly the best sire Europe has ever seen and through his sons Galileo, Montjeu, High Chaparral and Yeats along with grandsons Hurricane Run and Rip Van Winkle he has left a wonderful legacy at Coolmore and his influence looks set to continue for many years to come,” Christy Grassick said.

“We all feel privileged to have been involved with such a special horse.”

Some of the horses to be sired by Sadler’s Wells include Derby winners Galileo and High Chaparral and other impressive names such as In The Wings, Entrepreneur, Dream Well,  Islington and Yeats.

He began life as a top performing racehorse himself when he worked at Ballydoyle in Ireland for Vincent O’Brien.

His race career was wound up in 1984 when he moved to Coolmore Stud fulltime right up until his death.