Sunline, whose prowess on the racecourses of Australia and New Zealand made her a modern-day legend, has laminitis in both front feet and is battling for her life.

A multiple Horse of the Year in Australia (2000, ’01, and ’02) and New Zealand (1999, 2000, ’01, and ’02), the 13-year-old Desert Sun (GB) mare developed the debilitating disease after undergoing surgery for colic in July.

In late October, veterinarians cut the tendons in both forelegs in an effort to alleviate some of her lameness. Sunline seemed to respond to the procedure, which changes the angle of the feet.

 Former co-trainer Stephen McKee told New Zealand’s Star Times that Sunline must continue to show improvement and that euthanasia might be considered if she does not.

“You can be assured she won’t be left suffering,” he said, “but we’re 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 okay.”

Sunline, who is undergoing treatment at McKee’s Takanini racing stable, concluded her racing career in October 2002 with 32 victories from 48 starts, including 13 Group 1 victories, topped by the 1999 and 2000 editions of the BMW W. S. Cox Plate (Aus-G1) and the ’00 Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) for co-owner and trainer Trevor McKee and partners.

She holds the distinction of being the first member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame to be inducted while still in training. At the time of her induction, she was the nation’s all-time money earner and retired with a lifetime bankroll of $6,625,105.
 
Sunline, who is out of the Western Symphony mare Songline, has produced a three foals, including Sunstrike, a four-year-old Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) filly who has placed twice in five career starts.

Last January, a yearling colt by Zabeel out of Sunline brought $1,377,998 ($2-million New Zealand) at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd.’s National yearling sale. Named Sun Ruler, he has yet to start.