Harness: Champion mare I Luv The Nitelife passes due to foaling complications

Diamond Creek is saddened to report the passing of champion race mare I Luv The Nitelife to complications from foaling.

"During foaling Nitelife experienced a dystocia where the foal was abnormally positioned," said attending farm veterinarian Dr. Courtney Pink. "Through great efforts we were able to deliver the foal, but unfortunately we lost them both. We are terribly saddened by the loss. May her legacy live on through her foals. She was a tremendous mare and will be greatly missed by all."

In her freshman year, I Luv The Nitelife set a world record of 1:50 1/5 during the elimination of the She's A Great Lady at Mohawk Park, before also winning the final. She won divisions of the Bluegrass Stakes and Eternal Camnation, cinching the O'Brien award for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

I Luv The Nitelife continued to dominate in her 3-year-old campaign. Wins in the Breeders Crown, Jugette, Fan Hanover, a then record-setting win in the Valley Forge (1:48 4/5), and more gave her Dan Patch and O'Brien divisional honors in 2013. I Luv The Nitelife retired with earnings of over $1.94 million. At the time, she held the record for the most money won by a female pacer at ages 2 and 3.

"When we agreed to do the live foal cameras this year, we knew there would be a chance that something would go wrong," said Diamond Creek's Adam Bowden. "We feel it is important to show not just the highs but also the lows of life on a breeding farm. Unfortunately, this is one of the lowest moments, not only losing a mare of her caliber in the industry, but also her loss as a much-loved member of the farm."

I Luv The Nitelife has a yearling filly by Always B Miki who will now be retained by Diamond Creek.

-release (Diamond Creek Farm)