Sky Mesa , whose son General Quarters entered the Triple Crown picture with an upset victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) on Feb. 14, has been taken out of service after undergoing surgery for colic over the weekend.
The 9-year-old son of Pulpit was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital after experiencing colic, which is acute abdominal pain, on Feb. 15. Sky Mesa, the Leading Second Crop Sire of 2008 and second on the Third Crop Sires List for 2009, underwent a successful colic surgery on Sunday morning.
“Sky Mesa was showing mild to moderate signs of colic on Saturday, but they seemed to dissipate with Banamine,” Case Clay, president of Three Chimneys Farm, said in a statement. “Once the Banamine wore off and we saw the symptoms returning, we made the decision to send him to Rood and Riddle.”
Surgery was performed by Dr. Scott Hopper and, according to all involved, the procedure was a success.
“The surgery went well,” said Clay. “A six-inch incision was made and there was some displacement, but no re-secting was necessary. He’s recovering wonderfully and, if all continues to go well, our vet, Dr. Jim Morehead, has advised that he could start covering mares on March 15.”
Sky Mesa had been bred to one mare this season at the time of his surgery and he is expected to return to the farm from the clinic on Feb. 18 or 19.
With his third crop being 2-year-olds of 2009, Sky Mesa’s top produce have been grade I winner Sky Diva and grade II winners Storm Mesa and Skylighter. The stallion, who was the second-leading second crop sire of 2008, stands for a fee of $30,000.