Grade 1 winner Thorn Song succumbs to laminitis

Thorn Song, a multiple Grade 1-winning standout turf horse and a young California stallion, has passed away due to complications of severe laminitis. The 11-year-old gray or roan son of Unbridled’s Song was undergoing treatment at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center near Santa Ynez, Calif. He stood at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., which announced his death on Monday.

“Thorn Song was an inspiration to all involved with him,” John Harris, owner of Harris Farms, said. “Although he had serious issues, his demeanor, personality, and spirit overcame them gallantly. Although his first crops are just now getting to the races, I have very high hopes for them, and he will leave a great legacy.”

Thorn Song was bred in Kentucky by Pinnacle Racing and Taylor Made Farm and was out of the unraced Storm Bird mare Festal. Ahmed Zayat bought Thorn Song for $200,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale and he raced for Zayat Stables through five seasons, winning 8 of 29 starts and earning $1,132,700. The well-traveled runner scored top-level wins in the 2008 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland and the 2009 Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park. He also won two other graded stakes races.

Thorn Song was retired after suffering a career-ending injury in summer 2009 and underwent medical treatment and recovery at Alamo Pintado before beginning his stud career at Harris Farms in 2011. Foals from his first crop are 2-year-olds this year and two have started through Aug. 4. According to Jockey Club statistics, he has 27 2-year-olds and 41 yearlings. Harris Farms said in a release that Thorn Song covered 57 mares in 2013 and 11 this year, when he stood for $2,500.