08/31/2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gayego after a severe battle with colic at 17 years old. The grade 1 winner and millionaire was as kind as he was fast, and his loss is felt by everyone at Bar None Ranches.
Bred in Kentucky by Hargus Sexton and Sandra Sexton, Gayego was by Gilded Time out of Devil's Lake.
Gayego raced at 2 and 3 for Cubanacan Stables and later for Godolphin. As a 3-year-old, Gayego captured the Arkansas Derby and ran second in the San Felipe Stakes.
When racing for Godolphin, Gayego won the Ancient Title Stakes at Oak Tree at Santa Anita and the Dayjur Mahab Al Shimaal. Also at 4, he ran second in the Godolphin Mile Sponsored on Dubai World Cup day.
As a 5-year-old Gayego, set a track record in the Presque Isle Mile Stakes and placed in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the Triple Bend Handicap, and the Xpress Al Shindagha Sprint.
Gayego began his stallion career at Norse Ridge Farm in Ontario when he was seven years old, and moved to Bar None Ranches for his second season where remained with breeding manager Shaun Rathy. He enjoyed racing his sire Gilded Time up and down the long fence lines when he arrived, never one to turn down a challenge or an opportunity to show off. In later years, because of his excellent, quiet temperament he was able to live by "his mares", enjoying his post watching the daily activities of the broodmare pens and socializing with anyone who'd stop in for a visit. His foals were known for their quiet, bidable personalities and reflected his large, kind eye and considerable size. He sired multiple winners that we've had the pleasure of cheering for, such as Bar No Q, Count on It, Silverfoot, Dark Storm Coming, Fran From Peru, Go Mama, Jazzy Girl, Perdition, Precious Notes, Spanish Diva, Steal a Kiss and Trader Lynn among many, many others. The big black stallion with a heart of gold will be missed greatly by Shaun and her team, as well as anyone who had the fortune of having met him.
