Sunline, a 13-time group I winner in three different countries and a multiple champion in Australia and her native New Zealand, has been diagnosed with the condition laminitis, which resulted from complications following a July colic operation, according to the New Zealand website Stuff.co.nz.
The website stated that the hoof condition stems from the toxins of the colic working through Sunline’s body and into her feet, and severely restricts her movement.
However, the 13-year-old mare’s former co-trainer Stephen McKee said Nov. 15 at Sandown that Sunline, who won two consecutive Cox Plates (Aust-I) in 1999 and 2000, was responding to treatment and he was hopeful about her chances of overcoming the disease.
"She is gradually improving, but there is still a long way to go yet," McKee told the website, which added that a Sydney-based vet had been called in to cut tendons in the mare’s legs to realign her feet and hopefully aid her recovery.
An Australian Hall of Fame inductee, Sunline won 32 of her 48 starts and earned more than $6.6 million during her career. Now the dam of three foals, Sunline first gained international recognition when winning the 2000 Hong Kong Mile (HK-I). By Desert Sun, she is out of the Western Symphony mare Songline.
