Nashoba's Key, Highland Bud Gone
Champion Filly and Steeplechase Star Euthanized After Complications
A freak accident and chronic sinusitis resulted in the euthanizations of Nashoba's Key and Highland Bud in May. Both were major race winners.
On May 28, Nashoba's Key suffered a non-repairable fractured left hock in a stall kicking accident, and on May 20, the two-time Breeders' Cup Steeplechase champion Highland Bud was euthanized due to incurable chronic sinusitis. Both horses were champions in their fields.
Nashoba's Key Millionaire and Multiple Grade I Winner
Nashoba's Key was stabled at Hollywood Park when she kicked the wall of her stall and broke her left leg. The accident occurred at 5:30 a.m., and the champion five-year-old could not be saved.
Trainer Carla Gaines handed out an informational release later that morning, stating that the filly had "brought much joy to everyone's lives" and would not soon be forgotten.
Seven Straight Wins in 2007
Nashoba's Key started the 2007 campaign with seven consecutive victories. Among those wins were the Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap, grade II, and the Vanity Handicap, grade I, both on Cushion Track. Three turf triumphs preceded those artificial dirt wins.
The filly also won the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, grade II, on Del Mar's Polytrack, and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes, grade IT, at Oak Tree's turf course. She entered the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Monmouth Park last fall and suffered her first loss of the seson, finishing fourth. She was second in the final voting for Eclipse Award Champion Female, Turf.
Nashoba's Key won her final race at Santa Anita Mar.9, winning the Santa Margarita Handicap. Her career record was eight wins from 10 starts, with earnings of $1,252,090.
Nashoba's Key Pedigree
Warren B. Williamson bred Nashoba's Key. She was out of the Caerleon mare Nashoba. Williamson is based in California.
Highland Bud's Illness
Chronic sinuitis was diagnosed in Highland Bud in 2006. His condition never improved despite treatment and surgery. He could no longer breathe through one of his nostrils.
Steeplechase Star Was Eclipse Award Winner
In 1989, the Eclipse Award for steeplechasers went to Highland Bud based on his wins in the Colonial Cup Steeplechase Handicap and the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase. He won his second Breeders' Cup Steeplechase in 1992, and placed second in that race in 1993.
He was retired with 10 victories from 27 starts and earnings of $514,796.
William Floyd of Florida bred Highland Bud. The steeplechaser first raced in Ireland, as well as in England. In Ireland, he was stakes-placed, and in England he was a stakes winner.
At 23, he was a gelded son of Northern Baby, out of Fleur d'Or, by Exclusive Native. He raced for Jesse M. Henley, Jr. and was trained by Jonathan Sheppard.
