Aquilegia, a grade II winner and multiple stakes producer, was euthanized March 8 because of complications from foaling at Helen Alexander's Middlebrook Farm near Lexington. Her Giant's Causeway foal also died.
An 18-year-old daughter of Alydar, Aquilegia produced English group winner Bertolini, plus U.S. stakes winners Amelia and Alchemilla. A son of Danzig, Bertolini stands at stud at Sheikh Mohammed's Darley near Newmarket, England.
Bertolini was one of three of Aquilegia's foals that were sold as yearlings at Keeneland. The three fetched a total of $4.15 million.
Aquilegia was bred in Kentucky by Alexander and her mother, Helen Groves, in partnership with David Aykroyd. Campaigned by Groves, Aquilegia won or placed in 22 of 30 races and earned $446,081 for trainer Scotty Schulhofer. All six of her stakes wins or placings came on grass, including scores in the New York (gr. IIT) and Black Helen (gr. IIIT) Handicaps.
Aquilegia is one of eight stakes winners out of Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee (by Never Bend). She is a full sister to champion Althea. Aquilegia is buried at Middlebrook.
