Racing: Suave Dancer killed by lightning strike

SUAVE DANCER, the brilliant winner of the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1991, has been killed by lightning in Melbourne.

A sire whose duties alternated between the northern and southern hemispheres, and half owned by the National Stud, Suave Dancer was found dead in his paddock on Christmas Eve. He had recently completed his breeding season in Australia and was in quarantine being prepared to return to Newmarket.

Henri Chalhoub, who owned Suave Dancer during his racing career and had retained a half share in the sire, said: "I am very sorry and touched by the news. This horse gave me so much pleasure and success."

Suave Dancer was trained by the Chantilly-based John Hammond, who yesterday remembered Suave Dancer's racing qualities: "He had outstanding acceleration which he could switch on and switch off. One is always lucky to have a horse of that calibre."

Among Suave Dancer's successful offspring in Europe is this year's runner- up in the Solario Stakes, Compton Admiral, who is being aimed at the 1999 Derby.