Sunline has lost her long battle with laminitis. The mighty mare was humanely put down on Friday morning after the McKee family exhausted all avenues to save her.
Laminitis expert Ric Redden DVM from the USA visited Sunline and the McKee family earlier this week and advised them the 13 year-old mare had lost all quality of life due to the debilitating disease.
After Sunline’s colt Sun Ruler (Zabeel) broke through for his first win at Avondale last Friday, Stephen McKee said her life was in the balance.
“She was a huge influence on our lives and we will miss her terribly,” McKee said. “Sunline will forever be a part of Australasian racing folklore and it has been a privilege being associated with such a champion. She was part of our family.”
Sunline (Desert Sun) was twice Horse Of The Year and considered the greatest middle-distance mare of the modern era. She won 32 of 48 starts including the 1999-2000 Cox Plates and amassed more than $13 million in stakes.
Sunline has a filly by Rock Of Gibraltar and a colt by Hussonet.