Multiple Grade 3 winner Indyanne was euthanized on Tuesday after suffering complications from a broken front left sesamoid.
The four-year-old Indian Charlie filly was injured after taking a bad step in the stretch during the La Brea Stakes (G1) on December 27 at Santa Anita Park.
“We did everything we could,” said owner John G. Sikura, president of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms. “It was unfair to continue treatment in a manner that would have been inhumane to this courageous mare.”
Shortly after the breakdown, trainer Greg Gilchrist was optimistic that Indyanne could recover to live out her life as a broodmare. Sikura, however, said it soon became evident that surgery would not be possible.
“Her condition deteriorated to the point that she could not enjoy a pain-free life,” Sikura said. “A lack of blood supply to the area of the injured limb caused a large wound that did not respond to treatment. [Dr. Larry Bramlage, D.V.M.,] could not do surgery to stabilize the joint under these circumstances. We did all we could and feel awful about the result.”
Bred by Offshoot Farm in Kentucky and out of the Silver Ghost mare Merchant, Indyanne had five wins and two second-place finishes from eight career starts and earned $449,870.
Indyanne opened her career with four straight wins by a combined total of 32 1/2 lengths, including a 9 1/2-length score in the 2008 Azalea Stakes (G3) on July 12 at Calder Race Course.
Two races later, Indyanne won the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G3) on October 4 at Keeneland Race Course and subsequently was purchased by Sikura.