Less than a month after Half Yours’ historic Melbourne Cup victory, his sire St Jean has died following a paddock accident.

The Irish-bred stallion was euthanised on Tuesday morning after suffering severe leg injuries.

Brackley Park operator Grant Dwyer, who had stood St Jean since 2017, confirmed the news in a statement.

“After covering a mare, Memory Lane, on Monday the 24th of November, St. Jean was returned to be fed in his paddock where he had lived happily and safely since the autumn of 2017,” Dwyer said.

“On the morning of 25th of November it was discovered, that for reasons unknown, St Jean had run into a fence post overnight, breaking it off at ground level and shattering his near-side front leg around the elbow region.

“Dr Duncan Pearce BVSc MVS MVSc attended to the stallion… we were advised that nothing could be done for the horse. The stallion was then humanely euthanised.”

St Jean’s death comes just three weeks after his son Half Yours became the first Victorian-bred winner of the Melbourne Cup in 52 years, backing up from his Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) triumph.

St Jean won six of 19 starts, highlighted by the Group 3 City Of Auckland Cup, and had recently seen renewed interest at stud with his fee rising from $3300 to $11,000.

“His death was very untimely as breeders were only starting to recognise what an incredible pedigree this stallion had,” Dwyer said.

St Jean leaves behind 67 live foals, including 12 individual winners.