The equestrian community got the saddening news of another horse’s death a few days ago. The horse was a talented one and was also the winner of multiple equestrian races, including a couple of Grade 1 stakes. He went by the name of Art Collector, and he was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

The six-year-old horse was in form this year, placing in the top two positions in his three races. He was preparing to appear in the upcoming $1 million Grade 2 Charles Town Classic Stakes when he met a disheartening fate. The horse got affected by a disease that spread rapidly and couldn’t be contained. The death had saddened the owners, for whom he had won many prestigious races.

A race winner who lost the battle against the cruel fate

This incident was reported on August 17th by the Paulick Report. Art Collector worth $4,231,290 was euthanized due to suffering from laminitis. The son of Bernardini, who placed second in his last race at the Alsheyba Stakes in May, was in Saratoga training under Bill Mott for an upcoming equestrian race. According to Mott, “He started to develop laminitis a couple of days ago and he went in a hurry“. Art Collector trained well on the fifth of this month and was in good shape. Later on, after two days, the trainer and his team noticed what appeared to them to be a small foot abscess in his feet. They immediately started treating it and soaking it, but they never thought it would be fatal. But, unfortunately, it later developed into laminitis in all his feet.

Laminitis is a painful disease that affects the horse’s feet, featuring inflammation and creating weakness in sensitive tissue that attaches the pedal bones to the hoof wall. The weight of the horse pushes the pedal bones down to the sole or rotates them, creating unbearable pain. Art Collector was experiencing the same pain, which made him very uncomfortable on Tuesday. The matter got worse thereafter, and they decided to relieve the poor horse from his suffering, so they euthanized him. The owner, who also happens to be his breeder, Bruce Lunsford, remembered his incredible horse, saying “He had a magnificent career“. He further said, “He’s one of the best I’ve ever had the fortune of being associated with. He took me to great heights and moments in this game. He was a member of the family, and obviously, we’re heartbroken“. Art Collector had an illustrious career and managed to win many big races for the owners, who dearly remember his Pegasus win.

Art Collector’s stellar equestrian career

The son of Bernardini and Distorted Legacy started racing in 2019. In the beginning, he was trained by Joe Sharp, under whom he had his first win in his second career race at the MSW race at Kentucky Downs. Later on, at the age of three, he was transferred to another trainer, Tommy Drury. Under him, Art Collector won four races out of six in 2020, which included two allowance races, one Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes, and the Ellis Park Derby.

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He was again transferred to the third trainer in the middle of 2021, and this time it was Hall of Famer Bil Mott. Under him, he had his first win of the year at the Alydar Stakes and claimed the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic after it in the same month. He finished that year with one more win at Woodward. Next year, after claiming the Alyda’s and Charles Town, he won the prestigious Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup. In his entire career, Art Collector had started in 23 races, of which he finished first in 11 and second in three. This year, he earned $1,898,800 from his three starts.

The death of the Art Collector is upsetting news. The horse had a glittering career and has shown his power and talent by winning multiple graded stakes, competing against the best in the industry.

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