The Dutch, Sterrehof has announced the passing away of the 28-year-old stallion, Sterrehof's Opium. "Despite his respectable age of 28-years-old, we unfortunately had to say goodbye to our Olympic sire, Sterrehof's Opium."
"As known, Sterrehof’s Opium always had a very special place in our hearts. He stood at the basis of the partnership we have with Marc Houtzager, and was for seventeen years like a thread in ‘the Sterrehof Stud story’. In the context of the announced sale of our company in Nunspeet, there is even some symbolism in the moment that we have to say goodbye to this top horse."
"We will cherish the memories of him. The wonderful moments he has given us are numerous: his strong performances at the 2008 Olympics, the six years in a row he successfully competed at CHIO Aachen, the victories in several Grands Prix and in the Nations Cup of Calgary, his fifth place in Rotterdam at the age of eighteen, his public farewell at Jumping Amsterdam six months later, not to mention all those times when we have seen him full of energy in the pasture after his long career. Opium, thanks for everything. We will miss you!"
source: Sterrehof - F. © Alamy/United Archives Gmbh