SUNLINE IN THE FIGHT OF HER LIFE

Sunline, the great mare, is not going down without a fight. You wouldn’t have expected anything less from a champion.

Four months ago Sunline, who won 32 of her 48 race starts including back to back wins in the Cox Plate in 1999 and 2000, was stricken with an attack of colic.

The thirteen-year-old underwent emergency surgery and was on a forty-eight hour watch as she clung to life, her connections admitting that they were not too far away from losing her at that time.

A second colic attack, more treatment, more anxious moments ... but then she overcame that problem, only to be faced with a second, equally life-threatening condition – laminitis.

With laminitis, the condition of the hooves deteriorate when the normal flow of blood in and out of the hoof, which is called the vascular balance, is altered. Too much blood gathers in the foot when more blood enters the hoof than returns up the leg. This pool of blood causes the sensitive tissue inside the hoof, known as luminae, to become inflamed. The hooves cannot expand to accommodate the inflammation, which makes it a highly painful and a very serious condition.

Laminitis can lead to the weakening of the structures within the hoof. In extreme cases parts of the hoof can disintegrate or become displaced.

In Sunline’s case, and she is affected in all four feet, this hoof condition came about when toxins, released in her body during the outbreak of colic and the subsequent operation, made its way through the mares body and into her feet, severely restricting her movement.

Special plates have been placed on her feet to help support her and restrict the rate at which the disease can progress and hopefully even help turn around the process.

Vets have also taken the drastic step of cutting tendons in both of Sunline’s fore-legs to try and ease the lameness.

Sunline’s connections have acknowledged that had it been any other horse than Sunline, different decisions might have been made, but they remain committed, within reason, to allowing Sunline every chance of survival.

With the mare insured, euthanasia would be an easy option, but Sunline’s connections will not go that route unless the situation worsens.

The mare’s former co-trainer Stephen McKee summed up the situation. “You can be assured she won’t be left suffering, but we are not at that stage yet. She’s a lot more mobile than she was before surgery, she can move around gingerly, and we’re hopeful she’ll recover OK.”

Sunline, who amassed $11 351,607 in stake earnings in a 48 race career (32 wins, 9 seconds and 3 thirds), is being treated at the McKee’s Takanini racing stable.