Ballindaggin dies at age 23

Ballindaggin, winner of the 1988 Molson Export Challenge and three New York Stallion Stakes in 1987, has died at age 23. A Noble Nashua horse, he was euthanized at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on July 22 because of back problems caused by degenerative arthritis.

Ballindaggin had lived for the last two years at the Old Friends equine retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky.

* Helen of Troy, the unraced Mr. Integrity mare who went on to produce 2006 champion sprinter and Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Thor's Echo, was euthanized on June 30 at age 12. The mare had developed complications from laminitis, according to a Blood-Horse report.