Sunline Dead After Battle With Laminitis

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The champion racemare Sunline died April 30 after a battling laminitis and will be buried at Ellerslie racecourse in New Zealand, the Melbourne Herald Sun reported.

Sunline, winner of 13 group I races and more than $11 million in earnings in 48 starts, was euthanized because of complications from the foot disease. The newspaper reported the mare had no circulation between her fetlock and hock.

Co-owner Trevor McKee said the decision to euthanize the 13-year-old mare was made after it was determined her quality of life had deteriorated. Sunline was co-owned by McKee’s son, Stephen, who served as co-trainer.

Retired jockey Greg Childs, who rode Sunline, told the Herald Sun she was in the same league with Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) winner Makybe Diva as one of the top racemares of modern times.

Childs rode Sunline 33 times, with 22 wins.

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