TVG Staff Report
Multiple Grade 1 winner Get Stormy, a leading sire at Crestwood Farm, died unexpectedly on March 6 at the age of 16 from a suspected a cardiac event.
With his front-running style, flashy white face and coloring that earned him the nickname “Clyde” for his resemblance to the strong-bodied Clydesdales, Get Stormy was fan favorite both for his handsome looks and longevity on the track. The son Stormy Atlantic, who was bred and owned by Mary A. Sullivan, competed for five seasons under the guidance of trainer Tom Bush compiling seven graded stakes wins including top-level victories in the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) and Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) in 2011 and 2012 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G1).
From 31 career starts, he compiled a record of 11-5-4 and earned $1,606,812.
“Get Stormy was an amazing racehorse, and came to us with all the credentials and a tremendous following,” Pope McLean of Crestwood Farm said in a release. “He was such a great physical and was a pleasure to be around. He was poised to become a top sire, as his best-bred crops have yet to race. We are sorry and shocked; he is a great loss to our farm and Storm Cat’s legacy.”
Get Stormy was popular his first year at stud when he arrived at Crestwood Farm, breeding 120 mares in his first season. His first crop included graded stakes winner Fifty Five, who earned $1,088,288 and was a New York-bred champion, but his most prolific runner would be his namesake Got Stormy, herself a multiple Grade 1 winner who made history under the guidance of trainer Mark Casse.
Got Stormy became the first female runner annex the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga when she captured the prestigious test in 2019 earn route to becoming an Eclipse Award finalist for champion turf female that season. She would duplicate that feat this past summer, besting male rivals again in the one-mile test, and also scored a victory in the 2019 Matriarch Stakes (G1).
Through seven crops of racing age, Get Stormy has sired 12 stakes winners with progeny earnings of more than $12.1 million.