It has been reported that the well known Down Under trotting stallion Sundon was humanely euthanized this past weekend at the age of 29.
According to an article by The New Zealand Times, trainer Phil Williamson confirmed that Sundon was put down on Saturday, April 25 due to arthritis and laminitis.
The report has quoted Williamson as saying, "Sundon has been a champion horse for me, probably for a few other people, too, but especially for me." The trainer went on to add that Sundon "was a champion sire as far as I'm concerned and he was a great horse before that."
Sundon won 27 of his 60 career races, which included his 1990 win in the Dominion Handicap. The four-time Stallion of the Year boasts a progeny that has raced to more than $26 million in purses.
In discussing the decision to euthanize Sundon, Keith Gibson, the managing director of Royce Lodge Stud Ltd., told stuff.co.nz that "It was always going to be a hard decision, but it was made easier when he was in pain.”
Gibson went on to say that Sundon "was still alert in himself, but he was getting to the point where we could not manage his pain and we were always going to be kind to him."
The stuff.co.nz report states that Sundon won his first 14 starts in a row and 17 of his first 18 starts. In terms of breeding, his progeny have started in more than 26,000 races and have recorded 2,663 wins.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Sundon.
(With files from The New Zealand Times and stuff.co.nz)