Monarchos, the 2001 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner, is recovering from colic surgery performed Tuesday, April 19, at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute near Lexington. He stands at Charles Nuckols III’s Nuckols Farm near Midway, Ky.
“The surgery consisted of straightening multiple twists of the small intestine, but there was no sectioning required and barring any complications the 13-year-old stallion is expected to recover and begin servicing mares again in three to four weeks,” Nuckols said. “We are of course concerned for the horse, but extremely encouraged by his prognosis.”
Ten years ago next month Monarchos ran the second-fastest Kentucky Derby in history in 1:59.97, joining Secretariat as the only winners to cover the 1 1/4-mile distance in less than two minutes. Monarchos, who raced for John C. Oxley, later ran third in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Monarchos has sired 13 stakes winners, including Informed Decision, who won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I). This year, Monarchos’ son, Win Willy, won the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II), earning a 107 Beyer Speed Figure.
Monarchos is by Maria's Mon out of the Dixieland Band mare Regal Band.