RIP Sunline

[maggies_lens]

Sunline, one of the greatest mares in history, has passed away. When she was racing late 1990's, early 2000's, I followed her avidly. She was foaled in 1995 in NZ, and started racing in mainland Australia in 1998, winning race after race after race. This big, plain bay powerhouse of mare just captured so many people's imaginations. She was MIGHTY! 48 races, with 32 wins, 9 seconds and 3 thirds. In that she won the Cox Plate,  The Doncaster Handicap and the Randwick all ages stakes.  She was NZ's horse of the year 4 times in a row, and Australian horse of the year 3 times in a row.  In the photo above she is winning the 2000 Cox Plate by 7 lengths! She ROMPED it in! I remember watching it and having trouble closing my jaws :-D
Sunline was put to sleep after a long battle with laminitis yesterday.
She was owned her entire life by her breeders, they never allowed her to be sold despite massive offers of money for her.
She leaves behind 4 offspring, 2 of which are racing and winning.
Run free, old girl.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/blitzen_/]

hrm, 13 isn't very old - wtf was going on with her management to have a 'long battle' with laminitis??? i'm curious.

[maggies-lens.livejournal.com]

I believe she had a bad bout of colic which required surgery, there were complications during her recovery which resulted in laminitis. They tried for ages to fix it up but in the end it was a humane decision. Poor old mare. She was one of the greats. She goes up there with Empire Rose and Makaybe Diva as far as MIGHTY horses.

[http://users.livejournal.com/blitzen_/]

do you remember Let's Elope? she was pretty awesome.

[madeyemads.livejournal.com]

Only 13. SO sad. God I hate laminitis. It's a horrible disease. And although it really seems like they tried everything and it was the humane decision ... 13 is way, way too young. Poor girl.

[maggies-lens.livejournal.com]

Poor mare, but yeah you're right, sounds like her owners really cared about her. I adre say a fair percentage would have looked at her condition, figured oh well she'll not foal again i.e worthless, put her down. But they tried. Just a pity they didn't suceed this time.

[phoenix-rose-up.livejournal.com]

what a gorgeous mare. sad to hear she's passed on over the rainbow bridge. BUT im SUPER glad to hear she was always owned by the same people and had a good post-track life.

and uhm *coff* 48 RACES!? damn they dont make too many like her anymore, at least over on THIS side of the pong!

[maggies-lens.livejournal.com]

Oh she was an ugly, plain old mare but wow her heart! She was a powrhouse, this one. apparently not the friendliest of mares, but not a nasty girl either. Just one of those fierce warrior mares with fire in their hearts.
Yup, not a bad innings for the ol' bay.

[phoenix-rose-up.livejournal.com]

maybe its the TB lover in me, but i think she looks gorgeous! lol


leave it to me, oh leave it to me haha

[maggies-lens.livejournal.com]

LOL! I know what you mean, I find it hard to think of any horse as ugly. :-) I've just been lucky enough to be around a really beautiful TB lately so everything gets compared to him (Riley).

[phoenix-rose-up.livejournal.com]

lol yeah i know what you mean ;)