Grade I winner Mandy's Gold was euthanized July 20 because of complications from laminitis. The 11-year-old mare by Gilded Time had produced a filly by Medaglia d'Oro June 4 at Omega Farm near Georgetown, Ky. The farm is owned by Dr. Scott Pierce and Dr. Debbie Spike-Pierce.
Bred in Virginia by Audley Farm, Mandy’s Gold won or placed in 21 of 24 races and earned $1,081,744 for John and Jeanne Gorham’s Steeplechase Farm. As a 4-year-old in 2002, Mandy’s Gold won in succession the My Juliet Stakes at Philadelphia Park, the Chicago Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. III) at Arlington Park, the Sassy and Sweet Stakes at Delaware Park, and the Honorable Miss Handicap (gr. III) at Saratoga before finishing third in the Ballerina Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga. Rebounding quickly, she captured the Ruffian Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park in her next outing, and then ran second in the Beldame Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont.
During her four years of racing, Mandy’s Gold also won the 2003 Pimlico Breeders’ Cup Distaff Handicap (gr. III), plus the 2001 Dame Mysterieuse Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
“She had a ton of talent,” said John Gorham’s brother, Michael, who trained Mandy’s Gold. “She won short or long and was able to win near the lead or off the pace.”
Mandy’s Gold, out of Italian group-placed mare Manduria (by Aloma’s Ruler), produced four foals. Her two foals of racing age, 3-year-old Smarty's Gold (by Smarty Jones ) and 2-year-old Golden Ghost (by Ghostzapper ), are both unplaced.