Champion racehorse Skip Away dies of heart attack

VERSAILLES, Ky. (AP) — Skip Away, the third-richest North American racehorse in history, has died from a heart attack.

Mimi Logsdon, an insurance agent for Hopewell Farm, confirmed the stallion died Friday at the Kentucky farm. Hopewell owner Rick Trontz didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Skip Away was a three-time Eclipse Award winner, including Horse of the Year in 1998, champion 3-year-old male in 1996 and champion older horse in 1997-98.

He won 18 of 38 starts, earning $9.6 million. That was second to just Cigar all-time when he retired, but both horses have since been passed by Curlin.

Hopewell's website says Skip Away produced 48 stakes winners accounting for more than $17 million in earnings.

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