Holy Bull had been pensioned from stud duty in 2012 after siring six G1 winners.

The popular grey was originally owned by Rachel Carpenter, who bequeathed all her horses to Monmouth Park trainer Jimmy Croll on her death before the colt raced.

Holy Bul was unbeaten in four starts as a 2YO including a defeat of champion Dehere in the GI Futurity Stakes.

At three he won the G1 Florida Derby and G2 Blue Grass Stakes, earning favouritism for the 1994 Kentucky Derby where he failed on a sloppy track, finishing 12th.

He returned to defeat his older rivals in the GI Met Mile before winning the GI Haskell Invitational and GI Travers Stakes to establish his superiority over his age group.

He then recorded a five lengths win over older males in the GI Woodward Stakes before returning as a 4YO to win the Olympic Handicap before a planned showdown with Cigar in the GI Donn Handicap was aborted and he was retired.

Holy Bull won 13 wins of his 6 starts earning $2,481,760. He was ridden by Mike Smith in every start bar his career debut and was inducted into the US Hall of Fame in 2001.

Holy Bull was the sire of 48 black type winners including G1 winners including 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo.

His progeny have earned nearly $62 million to date.