End of an era - Tie The Knot's dam passes away

Monday, 28 September 2009


Whisked, a fine racemare who earned even more fame as the dam of one of Australian racing’s most prolific Group I winners, has died.

Part-owner Sandy Tait confirmed Whisked, the mother of champion galloper Tie The Knot, died last Sunday week while foaling a filly by Strategic.

The filly, Whisked’s 13th foal, has been saved and a foster mare was floated from Denman to Cootamundra to help raise the valuable youngster.

“Whisked died as a result of foaling complications but Darley have done a magnificent job saving the filly,” Tait said.

Trained by Grahame Begg, Whisked won three races and almost $550,000 for the Tait and Nivison families, including the Group I Thousand Guineas.

She was also placed twice at Group I level when runner-up in the VRC Oaks and the Orlando Classic, the race now known as the Coolmore Classic.

“It's the end of an era and people tend to forget she was a great racemare,” Tait said. “The fact that she was able to produce one better than herself [Tie The Knot] was quiet remarkable.”

Tie The Knot, a son of Nassipour, retired in 2002 with more than $6 million in earnings in a career highlighted by 13 Group I triumphs under the care of Guy Walter.

The most recent of Whisked’s progeny to hit the racetrack is a Shamardal three-year-old named Hood.

Hood, also trained by Walter, won a Hawkesbury barrier trial in August but is spelling after going shin sore.