Soviet Star, the sire of international Group One winner Starcraft, has died peacefully in his paddock at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland aged 30.

Trained by Andre Fabre for Sheikh Mohammed, Soviet Star was a Group One winning sprinter miler who spent six seasons at Dalham Hall before being sold to Japan.

Despite covering a limited number of mares in Britain, Soviet Star produced several Group One winners and was returned to Europe to stand at Ballylinch.

He spent a southern hemisphere season in New Zealand where Starcraft was conceived.

The winner of the 2004 Australian Derby, Starcraft also won Group One races in New Zealand, England and France.

Ballylinch Stud manager John O'Connor told the Racing Post Soviet Star would be missed.

"It's the end of a long and productive life," O'Connor said.

"He was an outstanding racehorse, one of the top milers of his time.

"The stallion team here had forged a very close bond with him and it was a privilege to look after him."