Plum Pretty, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Oaks, has died at age 16, Gainesway Farm reported in a press release on Monday. A cause of death was not given for the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who was boarded at Gainesway for owner Mandy Pope.

"She was a pleasure to be around and always a great mom," Pope said in the release. "We are blessed to have several fillies out of her still to race and one that has already produced a foal. The colts have gone on to secondary careers in the show world and have her awesome personality."

Grade 1 winner Eskendereya, sire of champion and leading freshman sire Mitole, has died at age 17 of heart failure. The son of Giant’s Causeway had been standing at the Shichinohe Stallion Station in Japan.

Eskendereya, trained by Todd Pletcher for Zayat Stables, won four of six starts. He hinted at his ability by winning the off-the-turf Pilgrim Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths, but then finished ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Due to the success of the North Warning Distance Claiming Series that debuted in 2023, Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack Racing Secretary Jerry Richards has added three more claiming series to the 2024 meet that kicks off on Monday, April 29, pending New York State Gaming Commission approval.

Officials at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR), in conjunction with the Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FLHBPA), today announced purse increases totaling $500,000 for the upcoming 2024 racing season. The 63rd consecutive season of thoroughbred racing is slated to kick off Monday, April 29, pending New York State Gaming Commission approval.

Mr. Big, one of the leading stallions in California in recent years, was euthanized Tuesday due to complications of laminitis, according to a statement released on behalf of owner George Krikorian.

Mr. Big was 21 and was standing at Legacy Ranch in Clements, Calif.

“I’m heartbroken,” Krikorian said in the statement. “Mr. Big was a very special horse.”

Juddmonte announced today that the first mare bred to Multiple Eclipse Champion Elite Power ($3,775,711) has been pronounced in foal. The mare, Candy Strike, is a Candy Ride daughter of GSW/3xG1pl Scarlet Strike (Smart Strike) and is a half sister to GSW Toro Strike. The mare is from the immediate family of Santa Margarita (G1) winner Tara's Tango and King's Bishop (G1) winner Visionaire as well as Scarlet Fusion (G3) and Madison's Luna (G3). 

Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting, who has resumed his stud career after treatment for anejaculatory syndrome, has passed the next hurdle of his comeback, with his first mare to test in foal.

Caravel, winner of the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, has been privately purchased by John Stewart to join his star-studded broodmare band and will soon travel to Europe to be bred to unbeaten champion Frankel for her first mating.