Salt Lake, a successful stallion first in Kentucky and then in California, was euthanized July 20. He stood at the Mabee family’s Golden Eagle Farm near Ramona, Calif.
“He had minor colic surgery a few weeks ago and appeared to initially recover well,” said general manager Janine McCullough. “However, within a week of being home his condition started to worsen, and we sent him back to the clinic. We did everything we could. Salt Lake was a fighter, but he finally told me it was time.
"Great horses like him will always tell you when. It is a very sad day for me, Larry Mabee, and the Golden Eagle farm staff. He was a special horse.”
Salt Lake, a 21-year-old son of Deputy Minister out of the Queen City Lad mare Take Lady Anne, was purchased from John T.L. Jones Jr.’s Walmac International after a number of seasons at stud in Kentucky and stood his first season at Golden Eagle in 2006. His 69 stakes winners include Canadian champion Fantasy Lake and grade I winners Ordway and Salt Champ, who was a champion in Argentina. Salt Lake shuttled several years to that country.
Salt Lake is represented by the earners of $55 million.
Crook Investment Co. was the breeder of Salt Lake, who raced for William T. Young under the direction of trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Best at sprint distances, Salt Lake won six stakes, five of which were graded, including the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I), the King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. II), and the Fall Highweight Handicap (gr. II). Racing at 2 and 3, he retired with seven wins from 21 starts and earnings of $536,218.
Salt Lake, who ranks fourth on the 2010 California sire’s list, will be buried at the farm next to Golden Eagle major winners General Meeting and Best Pal.
