NEWS
Champion steeplechaser Highland Bud euthanized
Posted: Thursday, May 22, 2008 6:39 PM
Highland Bud, champion steeplechaser of 1989, was euthanized at age 23 on Tuesday at Sherry and Charles Fenwick Jr.’s farm in Butler, Maryland, due to a debilitating sinus condition.
Highland Bud was voted the Eclipse Award in his division after winning the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase and Colonial Cup as a four-year-old for trainer Jonathan Sheppard and owners Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Henley.
The Northern Baby gelding drew away from seven rivals in the Breeders’ Cup to score by ten lengths over stablemate Polar Pleasure and Victorian Hill and capped off the season with a 14-length triumph in the Colonial Cup.
Highland Bud returned to win the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase by three lengths and finished second to Racing Hall of Famer Lonesome Glory in ’93.
A stakes winner over the jumps in England where he began his career, Highland Bud was retired in 1993. Bred in Kentucky by William Floyd, Highland Bud is out of the Exclusive Native mare Fleur d’Or.
Highland Bud developed sinusitis in 2006 and eventually lost the ability to breathe through his right nostril despite several surgeries and other treatments.
Highland Bud was buried at the Fenwicks' farm with his Colonial Cup blanket.
