Delta Princess, dam of champion Royal Delta, was euthanized Aug. 5 because of a degenerative stifle condition according to a release from Adena Springs.
By A.P. Indy out of group II winner Lyphard's Delta, Delta Princess made a significant name for herself at the track, winning six stakes—three graded—and earning $740,918.
But it was in the breeding shed where she truly distinguished herself, producing three graded stakes-placed horses to date, including multiple grade I winner and three-time Eclipse Award-winner Royal Delta. The 15-year-old mare was bred in Kentucky by Prince Saud bin Khaled's Palides Investments.
"It is with great sadness that we had to humanely euthanize Delta Princess early this morning," said Adena Springs' general manager Eric Hamelback. "Her chronic stifle issue caused her significant discomfort overnight and it was clear that it was our only course of action. She was a remarkable producer throughout her career and we are all deeply saddened that it was cut so short."
On the track for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Delta Princess won the 2003 Beaugay Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack to secure her first graded score. She also took the 2005 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. III) and the Locust Grove Handicap (gr. III) in the same year, both at Churchill Downs, en route to an 11-6-2 record from 30 starts.
Royal Delta, the second foal out of Delta Princess, was her most successful to date. Also trained by Bill Mott, the Empire Maker mare raced to earnings of $4,811,126 while twice winning the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) en route to six grade I scores.
Another Empire Maker runner, Empire Way, was second in the 2012 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II), while the Street Sense filly Carnival Court finished third in the 2013 Alabama Stakes (gr. I).
In addition to their success on the track, Delta Princess' produce have been highly sought-after at the sales. Royal Delta sold in 2011 for $8.5 million to Besilu Stables; her Smart Strike half-sister Crown Queen sold as a weanling for $1.6 million at the same sale. Delta Princess' current 2-year-old son Khozan sold for $1 million to Al Shaqab Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training when consigned by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds.
Frank Stronach purchased Delta Princess from the Palides Investments dispersal at the 2011 Keeneland November sale. She produced a colt by Street Cry in 2013, and was barren for 2014. She was in foal to Awesome Again at the time of her death.
