Breeding stallion St Jean, sire of 2025 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, has died following a tragic paddock accident. After covering a mare on November 24, St Jean was found the next morning with a shattered front leg caused by running into a fence post. Despite veterinary efforts, he was humanely euthanised. St Jean had been standing at Brackley Park in Victoria and, although not previously in high demand, his stud services had recently surged due to Half Yours’ remarkable success, including winning the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups and earning $8.7 million.
The death of St Jean is considered untimely by his owners, Grant and Joanne Dwyer, as he was gaining recognition for his exceptional pedigree and had 35 mare bookings lined up for the season. Half Yours’ historic Melbourne Cup victory marked the first win by a Victorian-bred horse since 1973, with jockey Jamie Melham making history as the first female to win both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups. St Jean’s passing is a significant loss to the breeding community just as his influence was beginning to grow.
