by Jeff Lowe
Multiple Grade 1 winner Nashoba’s Key was euthanized on Wednesday morning after breaking a hind leg in an accident at Hollywood Park.
In a statement, trainer Carla Gaines said the injury occurred when the five-year-old Silver Hawk mare out of Nashoba (Ire), by Caerleon, kicked the wall of her pen at approximately 5:30 a.m. PDT.
Nashoba’s Key won the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (G1) on March 9 at Santa Anita Park in her most recent start. She began her career at age four with seven consecutive victories—four on turf and three on synthetic surfaces—including the Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2), Vanity Invitational Handicap (G1), Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2) and Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G1).
Her first loss was a fourth-place finish to Lahudood (Ire) in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) over soft turf at Monmouth Park.
The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association honored Nashoba’s Key as the California-bred horse of the year, champion older female, and champion turf horse for 2007. She was an Eclipse Award finalist as champion turf female and champion older female.
“She brought a lot of joy to everyone’s lives that were lucky enough to be associated with her, and we will all miss her very much,” said Gaines, who registered her first Grade 1 victories with the bay mare.
Nashoba’s Key won eight of ten starts and earned $1,252,090 for owner-breeder Warren Williamson, the Thoroughbred Owners of California’s owner of the year for 2007.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer