Mixed Pleasure dies of colic at age 30

Multiple stakes winner Mixed Pleasure, a resident of Old Friends Equine in Georgetown, Ky., was euthanized Monday due to complications from colic. He was 30.

The son of Sucha Pleasure had resided at Old Friends since July 2012 after being one of 14 horses seized by Charlotte Farmer and the advocacy group Equi-Army-NDO.com when he faced the risk of going to auction following the death of Helen Tice, owner of Grand Trine Farm in Molalla, Ore., where he last stood.

"It's always heartbreaking to lose one of our horses, but at the time of his death Mixed Pleasure was surrounded by those who loved him most,” said Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen. “Our vet Bryan Waldridge was here to help him, as were our farm managers Tim Wilson and Carol Oates. Most importantly, Mixy spent his last moments with his best friend, John Bradley, one of our dedicated volunteers who was Mixed Pleasure's friend and caretaker these last three years.

"Mixed Pleasure was one of the kindest and easygoing stallions we've ever had, and he will be sorely missed," Blowen continued.

Bred in California by Celeste and David Anderson, Mixed Pleasure won 5 of 22 starts in California and Mexico for earnings of $140,175. His biggest wins came in the Ford Juvenile Stakes and Kindergarten Stakes on the Northern California circuit, with additional placings in the Grade 2 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes and Grade 3 Balboa Stakes.

Mixed Pleasure sired five foals once retired to stud, with the two to race both being winners.

Mixed Pleasure was presumed by Old Friends to be the oldest living descendant of champion Seabiscuit, with his dam, Sea I’m Lucky, being by Windy Sea, who was himself out of Sea Anemone, who was a daughter of the famous horse.