Rachel Alexandra has surgery for foaling complications

The condition of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra remained "serious" on Thursday morning following surgery the prior night related to foaling complications.

The 7-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare delivered her second foal, a Bernardini filly weighing in at 140 pounds, at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at Stonestreet Farm near Lexington, Ky. The mare developed complications late Wednesday and was taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

She underwent surgery to repair a bruised area in her small colon, which was injured during the birth. Surgeons removed the damaged section of the small colon and successfully re-attached the two remaining ends.

Stonestreet Farm issued a release late Wednesday night stating that Rachel Alexandra was in recovery following the surgery, under the care of Dr. Bonnie Barr of Rood and Riddle.

"A full prognosis cannot be determined at this time, but her condition is serious," the release said.

The mare awakened from anesthesia at about 3 a.m. and was on her feet Thursday morning.

“We are solely focused on making sure Rachel is as comfortable as possible," owner Barbara Banke said. "She is showing the same strength and courage now that she demonstrated on the track. Our hearts are broken by this turn of events and I can only ask that you send your thoughts and prayers to Rachel now.”

Rachel Alexandra's filly returned to Stonestreet on Wednesday. The filly was to be placed under the care of a nurse mare and is in good health.

"The foal is healthy and fine," said Alex Riddle, a media spokesman for Rood and Riddle. "The good news is that we're not worried about the foal at all."

Rachel Alexandra produced her first foal, a colt by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin now named Jess's Dream, in January 2012. Days following that birth, the mare made what was termed a "precautionary" trip to Rood and Riddle for pain management. The mare and colt returned home following a three-day stay at the facility.

Riddle said the mare's problems with the two births are not related.

"It's in no way related," Riddle said. "She was perfectly healthy for a year. It's just another unfortunate injury."