By Bloodhorse.com COALINGA, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2024) — Smiling Tiger , a multiple grade 1-winning millionaire who currently leads all California sires by 2024 progeny earnings, had to be euthanized Aug. 1 due to complications from ataxia. The 17-year-old had been standing at John Harris’ Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif., where he stood for the majority of his stud career. Phil Lebherz and Alan Klein raced Smiling Tiger, who was trained by Jeff Bonde, and headed the team that supported him at stud. Lebherz owned 75% interest and Klein 25%, with many of the offspring bred by Premier Thoroughbreds, the name of many of Lebherz’s partnerships. Lebherz had a deep bond and love for Smiling Tiger, bought as a yearling in 2008. “He was actually Bonde’s first grade 1 winner ever,” Lebherz said. That victory came in the 2010 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. “It was fun because he was a 3-year-old against older horses,” Lebherz said. “Bob Baffert had two in there and also the champion from Australia (Scenic Blast)... ...
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