Suave Dancer, brilliant winner of the French Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1991, has been killed in a freak accident at Eliza Park in Melbourne. A dual-hemisphere sire, who was half owned by the English National Stud, Suave Dancer was found dead in his paddock on Christmas Eve. It is believed that he had been struck by lightning.

Suave Dancer had recently completed his breeding season in Australia and was in quarantine being prepared to return to Newmarket.

Speaking from Cyprus, Henri Chalhoub, who owned Suave Dancer throughout his racing career and had retained a half share, said: "I am very sorry and touched by the news. This horse gave me so much pleasure and success. I am sure that we will regret his passing even more as time goes by." His trainer, John Hammond, said: "He was extremely exciting. He had outstanding acceleration which he could switch on and switch off. One is always lucky to have a horse of that calibre."

Among Suave Dancer's successful offspring in Europe is Solario Stakes runner-up Compton Admiral, who is being aimed for the 1999 Vodafone Derby.