Champion Lemon Drop Kid, a remarkable horse with a rich racing and stud career, has sadly passed away. This news has left the equine world in mourning. The farm Lane’s End announced via a press release on Friday morning that the horse, who was foaled at their farm and bred by W. S. Farish and W. S. Kilroy, died at the age of 28 due to an undisclosed cause.

Remembering the Legacy of Lemon Drop Kid

The Early Years

Lemon Drop Kid, sired by Kingmambo and out of Charming Lassie, a half-sister to Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, was born with great potential. Foaled at Lane’s End, he showed early signs of excellence. In 1997, he was sold for $200,000 at the Keeneland September Sale and was then raced by Jeanne G. Vance. Under the training of Flint S. “Scotty” Schulhofer, he demonstrated his talent at Belmont Park. Winning the GI Futurity Stakes as a juvenile and placing in the GI Champagne Stakes set the stage for his future success.During his sophomore season, he achieved remarkable feats. Winning the GI Belmont Stakes and capturing the GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga showcased his strength and determination. As a 4-year-old, he swept multiple Grade I stakes, including the GI Whitney Handicap, GI Woodward Stakes, GII Suburban Handicap and GII Brooklyn Handicap. His earnings of over $3.2 million across 24 starts during his racing career are a testament to his prowess.

The Stud Career

After his championship season, Lemon Drop Kid returned to Lane’s End to begin his career at stud. From 2001 to 2020, he served on the stallion roster and was retired at the age of 24. His influence as a sire is undeniable. He is responsible for 109 stakes winners on both the dirt and turf, including 10 Grade I winners and 52 graded stakes winners. His progeny earnings stand at over $115 million, a remarkable achievement.Some of his top runners include Lemon Pop, the recently retired winner of the G1 Champions Cup and champion dirt horse in Japan with over $5 million in earnings. Lemons Forever, the winner of the GI Kentucky Oaks, also holds a special place in his legacy. Beach Patrol, a multiple Grade I stakes winner with over $2.5 million in earnings, and Richard’s Kid, winner of two editions of the GI Pacific Classic, are among his other notable offspring. Somali Lemonade, the winner of the GI Diana Stakes, and multiple GSW Da Big Hoss and Cosmonaut also contribute to his lasting impact.Daughters of Lemon Drop Kid have also made their mark. They have been responsible for 110 black-type winners around the world, 36 of which are at the graded/group level. Among them, Eclipse Award winner Forever Unbridled, a daughter of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Lemons Forever, along with fellow Breeders’ Cup winners Tamarkuz, Finest City and Bar of Gold, have continued to shine. The promising European-based first-crop sire Without Parole also hails from this line.

The Farm’s Connection

“Many of us at Lane’s End were here at the farm when Lemon Drop Kid was foaled in May of 1996,” said Lane’s End Farm President Bill Farish. “We are profoundly blessed to have been associated with this exceptional horse for his entire life, watching him develop into a champion racehorse and then a top sire of over 100 stakes winners. He will be greatly missed, and we will forever honor his legacy.”Lemon Drop Kid will be buried in the stallion cemetery at the farm, a fitting final resting place for a horse that has left an indelible mark on the equine world.