Stallion Ghibellines dies

White Robe Lodge has announced the death of proven stallion Ghibellines.

A son of champion sire Shamardal and the Group 1-winning Elusive Quality mare Camarilla, Ghibellines was a high-class racehorse whose standout performance came with victory in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) for trainer Peter Snowden.

Retired to stud in 2016, Ghibellines went on to make a strong impact as a sire, producing Group 1 winner Smokin’ Romans, last season’s Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) victor Campaldino and $1.5 million earner Palmetto.

He finished his stud career with nine individual stakes winners, operating at a solid 4.3 per cent stakes winners to runners — a figure that underlined his consistency and value as a commercial and performance sire.

Tributes have flowed following the announcement, with Ghibellines remembered as both a tough racehorse and a stallion capable of producing elite performers.