NEWS of Cruising’s death on Saturday evening was the only time the legendary Irish Sport Horse stallion ever gave his legion of fans worldwide any cause for disappointment.

The 29-year-old 16.2hh grey stallion was last seen in public at this year’s RDS Horse Show.

Cruising, considered as one of the world’s most significant sires of the 21st century, was bred by David and Mary McCann of Hartwell Stud in Naas.

“Cruising was out in the field until Saturday evening. He had a heart attack in his stable – the same stable he was born in – there’s not many horses can say that. We have been inundated with messages and international calls since. It’s great to see the impact he had all over the world. His greatest legacy is his mares,’’ Mary McCann told the Irish Farmers Journal. Cruising was by the registered Irish Draught Sea Crest, a Grade A show jumper and his dam was Mullacrew, an international show jumper with wins under her belt at Lucerne, Rome and Wembley.

Grand prix wins

Cruising was ridden by Trevor Coyle during his outstanding show jumping career which included many Grand Prix wins and Nation Cups call-ups. Cruising’s spectacular wins included a clean sweep in 1995 in Aachen Nations Cup, Dublin, Rotterdam, Calgary and Modena; Wolfsburg Grand Prix and San Marino Grand Prix (1996); Lucerne Grand Prix (1998) and Dortmund Grand Prix (1999).

Cruising was second in the 1998 World Cup, never having a fence down. He enjoyed top 10 finishes in two European Championships and World Games. Cruising sired many champions including top show jumper Flexible and top eventer Mr Medicott.

He is the only Irish stallion to earn a five-star rating for himself and his progeny.