Debuting Maryland sire Norumbega dies at 7

Norumbega, a Grade 2 winner and young Maryland stallion, was euthanized June 6 due to complications from colic surgery. He was 7.

The son of Tiznow had been sent to New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., for surgery for a cecal impaction on May 26. He was in the midst of his debut season at stud, residing at Bonita Farm in Darlington, Md. He was advertised for $3,000 and has 14 mares confirmed in foal.

“It’s such a shame,” said Bill Boniface of Bonita Farm. “I really loved that horse. He was such a nice horse. I was so looking forward to him standing here. He was such a good horse to work around.”

Norumbega raced as a homebred for Stuart Janney III and was trained by Shug McGaughey. He won four of 19 career starts over five seasons of racing for earnings of $521,645.

The horse never raced at a distance shorter than a mile and punctuated his résumé with a win in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational Stakes. He also was the runner-up in the Grade 3 Discovery Handicap and Skip Away Stakes.

Norumbega was out of the stakes-placed A.P. Indy mare Meghan’s Joy, whose eight winners from 10 runners include Grade 2 winners Ironicus and On Leave; Grade 3 winners Hunting and Quiet Harbor; stakes winner Seal Cove; and Grade 3-placed Minister’s Joy.

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