Three mares and foals bound for Sequel New York killed in van fire

A fire that occurred in a trailer transporting horses from Kentucky to New York on Tuesday killed three mares and their foals, according to the farm where the horses were to be boarded.

Sequel New York, the upstate New York farm, said the fire claimed the lives of La Java and her Constitution colt, owned by Red Diamond Stables; Starship Voodoo and her Macho Uno colt, owned by Starship Stables; and Southern Sunshine and her Orb filly, owned by Sequel. All three mares were also confirmed in foal.

A spokesperson for the farm said another mare that was being transported was able to escape the fire. She said questions about the cause of the fire could be answered by the farm’s owner, Becky Thomas, who was traveling on Wednesday afternoon.

“We send our condolences to all the connections that are sharing in this loss and hope to provide some comfort to them by memorializing these beautiful animals here for us to remember,” said a message on a page at the farm’s website that included pictures of the mares and foals who died.

La Java, by Medaglia d’Oro, was the mother of Gio d’Oro, a stakes-placed 3-year-old winner. Starship Voodoo had produced four winners from five foals to race. The foal out of Southern Sunshine, a winner of $155,000, was her first foal.