‘A Sad Passing’: Winter Memories Euthanized At Age 15 – Horse … – Paulick Report
Farewell to a Champion: Winter Memories, Grade 1 Winner and Final Foal of a Dynastic Family Legacy
It was with a heavy heart that John Phillips, owner of Darby Dan Farm, announced the euthanization of the beloved Winter Memories on May 16th due to a hind leg injury that rendered her unable to stand or walk without pain.
Winter Memories, the 15-year-old daughter of El Prado, leaves behind a legacy that reaches back three generations through a line established by founding mares Memories of Silver and All My Memories.
A Winner in the Racing and Breeding World
Over the course of her racing career, Winter Memories proudly won 8 of her 12 starts, capped off with two Grade 1 wins in the Garden City Stakes and the Diana Stakes. She finished a respectable second in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs. With the career total money earnings of $1,268,100, Winter Memories goes down in the history books as a true champion.
Winter Memories’ Legacy Lives On
Winter Memories retired to her breeding career in 2011 and proved to be equally successful as a producer. She foaled 8 babies, 6 of which came to the track, with her two most successful runners being Grade 3-placed multiple stakes winner Winter Sunset and Grade 1-placed Seasons, both sons of champion sire Tapit.
John Phillips has religiously kept her last foal, a filly by Mendelssohn, to race and later join the broodmare band at Darby Dan. She will always remain a reminder of her mother’s legacy of success.
In a touching statement, John Phillips said, “It was a sad passing. That family has been in my family for three generations of horses, for three generations of family members.” Rest in peace, Winter Memories.