Stonehouse succumbs to colic

Stonehouse, who was named champion Illinois-bred older horse in 2009, died suddenly of colic on Monday evening, his trainer, Spanky Broussard, said.

Broussard said Stonehouse began showing signs of discomfort mid-afternoon Monday, and was treated for colic and taken by van to an area clinic. But Stonehouse's condition rapidly deteriorated, and he was put down around 7 p.m., according to Broussard. It was discovered that Stonehouse had been suffering from a fully twisted intestine, a dire condition for a horse.

Stonehouse, a 6-year-old son of Chester House and the mare Jenny D., was bred by Richard Rudolph, who co-owned the gelding with Michael Vranich. Stonehouse compiled a record of 10-11-1 from 40 starts, with earnings of $632,347. Earlier this year, he earned his first graded stakes victory in the Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds.