Fast Bullet, Age 6, Succumbs to Colic at WinStar Farm

Fast Bullet, Age 6, Succumbs to Colic at WinStar Farm: On December 2, 2014, stallion Fast Bullet was euthanized in the early hours of the day. Only those in close connection to the stallion knew he was suffering from colic. After many ups and downs with the stud, the decision was made to humanely euthanize him, to ease his pain. It had become award to the staff that Fast Bullet was very uncomfortable and was not happy in his situation. Elliot Walden of WinStar Farm expressed that everyone was deeply sad for the loss to the Zayats, shareholders, fans, and staff that were close to Fast Bullet.

During his racing career, Fast Bullet was campaigned by the Zayat team and trained by the Hall of Famer, D. Wayne Lukas. While Fast Bullet was campaigned sparingly over three brief seasons, he did manage to win the G2 True North Handicap by 2 ¼ lengths over Justin Phillip. In that performance, Fast Bullet bested his previous Beyer speed figure of 109 with a 110. This was the first and only graded stakes race Fast Bullet would hit the board in.

Fast Bullet did participate in the 2012 and 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. In 2012, he would finish 6th behind winner Trinniburg and the Lumber Guy. He did, however, finish ahead of 2011 winner, Amazombie. In 2013, the top three horses in the 2012 Sprint (Trinniburg, The Lumber Guy, and Sum of the Parts) all finished behind Fast Bullet, who finished 7th. The winner of the 2013 Sprint was Secret Circle, the favorite in the race.

Pedigree wise, Fast Bullet had all the right lines to be a successful stallion. For his first season at stud, Paul Mills in Kentucky marketed Fast Bullet. He stood for $7,500. After Paul Mills decided to no longer stand stallions, Fast Bullet was welcomed with open arms into the WinStar barn. WinStar stands Speightstown, sire of Fast Bullet. In his second season, Fast Bullet was to stand for a fee of $5,000.

Fast Bullet is out of Renfro Valley Star, who was a winner once in five starts. The mare never made it passed the maiden claimer she won in her fifth start, but did make it to the breeding shed. The mare is by Dayjur, one of the fast horses of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Dayjur was campaigned in England and Europe for all by one start. Dayjur won 7 of his 11 starts and came home second in 3 other starts. In his American debut, Dayjur looked like the one to beat, and he was. Safely Kept beat Dayjur to the wire, but with a little help. In the Shadow of the wire at Belmont Park, Dayjur literally jumped a shadow the stands had cast onto the track. This threw him out of stride, allowing Safely Kept to pull away.

Fast Bullet is due to be a daddy this spring, and with only 49 mares reported to be bred to the stallion, a very limited number of foals will be available to the industry. Will Fast Bullet have enough talent in his little crop to make a name for himself? The thoroughbred world will have to wait and see, but until then, the loss of Fast Bullet is a sad one, and the industry will remember him as extremely fast, regally bred, and very talented.