Grand Reward, a son of champion Serena’s Song who became a well-traveled racehorse and an influential stallion in South America, passed away in January at Jaras La Quebrada in Argentina, according to the South American outlet Turf Diario.
The 25-year-old colt, sired by Storm Cat, had been active in Argentina since 2006. Initially serving as a shuttle stallion, he transitioned to a full-time stallion role in 2011 following his acquisition by Jaras La Quebrada.
Grand Reward was the fourth foal of Serena’s Song, a 1995 champion three-year-old mare and an 11-time Group 1 winner. Her progeny includes four graded or grade stakes winners and two stakes winners. Grand Reward was a full sibling to British Group 1 winner Sophisticat and Group 3 victor Schramsberg, as well as a half-sibling to Group 2 winner Harrington and stakes winners Serena’s Tune and Selene Melody.
Bred by Bob and Beverley Lewis, Grand Reward began his racing career at trainer Aidan O’Brien’s facility in Ireland. The Coolmore Partnership bought a 50% share before his two-year-old debut. After winning his first race, he placed second in a Group 2 contest during his juvenile season.
Though he never notched a graded stakes victory in Europe, Grand Reward remained competitive, winning two Group 3 races in Ireland at age three. He then moved to the barn of American trainer D. Wayne Lucas, concluding his sophomore season with a non-placing run in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes.
Grand Reward quickly adapted to racing in the United States, earning money at Santa Anita Park in only his second start as a four-year-old, finishing fourth in the prestigious Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, and claiming his first major win in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap.
He retired after his four-year-old season with a record of four wins from 24 starts and total earnings of $545,844.
Starting in 2006, Grand Reward stood at Hill and Dale Farm in Kentucky during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season until 2011. Afterwards, he spent a season at Ghost Ridge Farm in Pennsylvania before moving to Argentina permanently.
Among his domestic progeny are Group 2 winners Guy’s Reward and Avanzare, along with Group 3 winners Grand Rapport and Rerun.
His most significant influence, however, was in South America, where he sired Argentine champions Bellagamba and Legion de Honor, Peruvian champions Smart Choice and Torque, as well as Argentina’s 2000 Guineas winner Granberry and Group 1 winners Sagura Springs and Angiolo.
Overall, Grand Reward sired 633 winners with total progeny earnings surpassing $26.8 million.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on February 2, 2026, in the News section.
Fan Take: Grand Reward’s passing marks the loss of a stallion who bridged racing excellence across continents and helped elevate South American bloodlines on the global stage. His legacy reminds fans of the sport’s international depth and the ongoing importance of breeding programs that connect diverse racing cultures.
