Laminitis claims Beautiful Pleasure
 

John Oxley’s Beautiful Pleasure, champion older female in 1999 and a six-time Grade 1, was euthanized recently due to complications surrounding chronic laminitis. The 16-year-old Maudlin mare produced a colt by Medaglia d’Oro on February 27 and was subsequently hampered by laminitis.

“She was afforded the ultimate of care from veterinarians and Fawn Leap Farm personnel but her decline was progressing toward an eminent end and it was only humane to end her suffering,” Oxley said.

Bred in Florida by the late Michael Sherman’s Farnsworth Farms, Beautiful Pleasure was a Grade 1 winner at two, four, and five. She won the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Beldame Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, and Personal Ensign Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course during her championship season.

Beautiful Pleasure won ten of 25 career starts and earned $2,734,078 racing for Oxley and trainer John T. Ward Jr.

Named Florida-bred Horse of the Year in 1999 and 2000 and a full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Mecke, Beautiful Pleasure is the dam of two winners from as many starters. Her first foal, the Thunder Gulch colt Dr. Pleasure, finished third in the 2006 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

In addition to the Medaglia d’Oro colt, Beautiful Pleasure is the dam of an unnamed yearling colt by Bernardini and an unraced two-year-old colt by Street Cry (Ire) named North Ocean.

thoroughbredtimes.com

Time flies. Seems like yesterday when she was at the Spa. RIP.
She had quite a rivalry with Heritage Of Gold.

What an awesome mare. One of my favorites back then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdUsk30_8Uc

Really sorry to hear about this. What a terrible disease. So strange to think about her being 16 too. Is the weight distribution of pregnancy what starts something like laminitis off in this situation? Do older mares have more of an issue with that?

Only two starters?

She raced until she was a 6yo (2001), so she did get a "late start" in the breeding shed. 2 of her first 4 foals were the starters, but one of the unraced ones produced a recent 2yo winner.

Looks like there was nothing for 2007 or 2008, which could have been the beginning of her health problems.

At least there are 3 potential starters left.

2007 was barren
2008 was an AP Indy
2009 Street Cry
2010 Bernardini

She was very, very good when she had her mind on running. I'd like to see some of our so called super fillies today run with her when she was at her best.

such a shame. one of my all time favorites. She was a beast.