Two grade I-winning mares who were members of broodmare bands at WinStar and Claiborne Farms in Kentucky died this summer.
Finder's Fee, winner of the 1999 Matron and 2000 Acorn Stakes (both gr. I) at Belmont Park, and Wildcat Bettie B, who took the 2006 Prioress Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. I), also at the New York track, were boarded at Claiborne near Paris and WinStar near Versailles, respectively.
According to Claiborne farm manager Gus Koch, Finder’s Fee had been “perfectly healthy” prior to having colic surgery July 6, but “had trouble coming out of surgery and didn’t survive.” She was 12 years old at the time of her death.
Boasting a career record of 7-4-5 from 27 starts and earnings of $708,128, Finder’s Fee had two other graded stakes wins in addition to her grade I triumphs while racing for Ogden Phipps.
A daughter of Storm Cat, Finder’s Fee was produced from the grade I-winning Mr. Prospector mare Fantastic Find. She is a half-sister to grade II winner Tax Ruling (by Dynaformer).
Finder’s Fee is also from the family of champion Heavenly Prize; Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Dancing Spree; grade I winners Furlough, Good Reward, Oh What A Windfall, and Dancing Forever; and Chilean champions We Can Seek and Weekend Trip.
Finder’s Fee was the dam of five named foals, two of which were winners, including stakes-placed Receipt, a 4-year-old filly by Dynaformer. Finder’s Fee most recently delivered a Bernardini filly April 11.
Wildcat Bettie B died at age 6 in mid-June of stomach trauma possibly due to a kicking incident, according to a WinStar report.
While racing for Oasis Racing Stable, Wildcat Bettie B recorded eight wins from 15 starts, including two other graded stakes scores. She retired from racing with earnings of more than $500,000.
The chestnut was bought for $550,000 by WinStar at the 2007 Keeneland November breeding stock sale from Lane’s End, agent.
By Meadowlake, Wildcat Bettie B is out of the stakes winning Katowice mare One Number Short. Wildcat Bettie B delivered her first foal, a filly by Bluegrass Cat , Jan. 21.