Sunline - Not Good News
 

I hope that this does not turn out to be another tragedy.


Sunline fighting for her life


Iron mare Sunline is reported to be fighting for her life after being struck down by laminitis, compounded by complications resulting from surgery for colic.

Laminitis is a life-threatening condition where the pedal bones drop through the hoof, causing the horse to founder and resulting in severe lameness or death.

The Courier Mail last night revealed the tragic news, confirming that Trevor McKee will soon make a decision on whether the two-time Horse of the Year will be put down.

In a double blow for the McKee operation, Sunline’s stablemate Boundless has been scratched from today’s Sandown Classic after the bold front-running mare suffered a chipped fetlock, requiring three to six months off the track depending on whether surgery is required.

Sunline won 32 of 48 starts in her globe-trotting career spanning 1998 to 2002. Her victories include two Cox Plates and a Hong Kong mile, and a distinguished third placing in 2001’s Dubai Duty Free over 1777m. She amassed more then $13.3million in stakes.

I didnt know that it was this serious. I'm sure that Trevor McKee will make the right decision however. She's only 13. Hasnt yet been a successful dam. I think she's had two foals, both of which havent done a lot. How sad this would be to add to the Sunburnt Land tragedy...

The latest I heard was that she was responding to treatment but is a long way from being "out of the woods". With regard to her lack of success with producing anything so far, I firstly hope she gets through this illness, and secondly, hope she does not turn out to be the Zoom Top of thoroughbred breeding. Zoom Top, top greyhound, dud brood bitch. Her litter sister Busy's Charm did however, produce some good racers e.g. Busy's Chief.

I've heard that she's better since the operation, but would need to make more of an improvement for her not to be put down.

Sunline responding
Racenet
Sunday, 16 November 2008

Champion mare Sunline has responded to surgery and is not in immediate danger of being put down.

The mare’s co-trainer Stephen McKee told stuff.co.nz that reports his father Trevor was required to make an imminent decision on whether to put the mare down were exaggerated, but it was a decision they still may have to confront.

"You can be assured she won't be left suffering, but we're not at that stage yet. She's a lot more mobile than she was before surgery, she can move round gingerly, and we're hopeful she'll recover OK," he said.

The tendons in both forelegs have been cut by vets in a drastic step to ease her suffering after contracting laminitis following surgery for colic.

Sunline is being treated at McKee’s Takanini stables.

Hope the champ recovers from this, she was a mighty horse and deserves a long and happy life even if she doesn't throw on herself!

The surgery was a great success. They'll assess whether or not she will be able to carry a foal in around 8 months, which is when they reckon she may be able to.

Thanks Hussler, I didn't know about this. Good news also to coincide with the imminent retirement of Greg Childs. I of course had my old time favourites but trying to be "fair dinkum" and not biased, I think I would have to rate Sunline and Makybe Diva as overall, the two best mares I have seen race in Australasia. There were many others of course, Let's Elope wasn't bad, for example, and I loved Wenona Girl when she was racing in the early 1960s.