Nureyev, sire of such stars as Peintre Celebre, Miesque and Spinning World, died on Monday at John T.L. Jones Jr.'s Walmac International near Lexington as a result of complications from a tumor in the hoof of his right fore-leg.
The foot problem that plagued the 24-year-old stallion had started in mid-August and resulted in a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor.
Further surgery followed a month later on the same condition.
Jones, speaking to the Thoroughbred Times, said the son of Northern Dancer, just "laid down and died in his stall."
"It was cancer in his foot," said Jones. "We tried to take it out a month ago and it just didn't work.
"We didn't put him down - he just laid down in his stall."
Peintre Celebre was a brilliant winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Nureyev when he slammed Pilsudski by five lengths in 1997.
The incomparable Miesque took the English and French 1000 Guineas in 1987 along with the Breeders' Cup Mile.
She followed up that American success the following year.
Spinning World was also successful in the Mile in 1997, while other luminaries of Nureyev include Sonic Lady, Zilzal, Theatrical, Reams Of Verse, Soviet Star, Stravinsky, Fasliyev, Polar Falcon and Wolfhound.
PA