Echo Zulu, a four-year-old filly prodigy and the daughter of Gun Runner, a retired equestrian icon, was aiming for the Breeders Cup in November when a horrible occurrence occurred. She was attempting to follow in her father’s footsteps by attempting to win the Breeders Cup when she sustained a major injury while preparing on October 13th. Her trainer, Steve Asmussen, sent Blood Horse an update on her condition, leaving all of her followers praying for her.
What happened to the adored horse who was a favorite for this year’s Breeders Cup, and what is her present status?
Echo Zulu’s Resilience: The Surgery’s High Stakes and Hopes for a Comeback
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Trainer Steve Asmussen informed BloodHorse that he and the filly’s owners, L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds, had opted to continue with fetlock arthrodesis surgery, which has the greatest survival rates. Steve, whose sole concern is her survival, stated, “As long as she stays alive, I’ll be OK,” adding, “Obviously, she’s incredibly special to all of us, and let’s keep her alive and let her be the incredible mother we all know she will be.”
Echo Zulu may have been hurt, but injuries are something that every athlete expects to endure at some point. Every great athlete has experienced serious injuries but has come back stronger than ever. Echo is also one of the best, having been a two-year champion. Thus, fans are praying eagerly, which was reflected in the comment section of a social media post.
The Road to Recovery: Echo Zulu fans praying for her recovery
Echo received a biaxial sesamoid fracture of her left front fetlock while training at Santa Anita Park on October 13 in preparation for her expected appearance in the Breeders Cup, which will begin early next month. This is a severe injury, since sesamoid bone fractures occur when a horse breaks both sesamoids in the same leg. Many Echo fans sent their prayers and blessings in a post by BloodHorse.
One of the fans expressed sorrow, saying:
So sad, was really looking forward to her breeder’s cup
— Wizard of Cats (@SvWzKg) October 13, 2023
Another concerned enthusiast said
I hope she is going to be okay. 😥🤞🤞
— I Just Want To Watch Horse Racing (@i_horseracing) October 14, 2023
One of the fans expressed the situation as:
As Steve as midden said as long as she is Alive her fans and e wry one who loves her will also be ok. We pray for echo Zulu recovery bc she DESERVES THAT!
— Deb (@DebDisneyfan09) October 13, 2023
While another fan prayed heavily by saying:
Hope she ends up good and can become a broodmare
What a wonderful horse and daughter of the great Gun Runner— CCC (@commonsense5757) October 13, 2023
While these comments were all about the situation and prayers towards her, one fan revealed a sad truth stating:
Problem now is that they will pump her full of drugs to get her back. She’s only 2.
— Lee Poirier (@DashingboyGA) October 14, 2023
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In his communication with BloodHorse, trainer Steve stated that his physician had stabilized Echo with a Kimzey splint and that Echo will undergo fetlock arthrodesis surgery today. The technique stabilizes a horse’s ankle by fusing it into a normal position for the limb, eliminating joint mobility. The technique has a high success rate.
The entire community wishes her a speedy recovery, so she does not miss the Breeders Cup, expressing their sadness. While the community is praying fervently, what is the trainer’s perspective? Who is on the ground and accountable for her well-being?
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With the surgery’s high success rate, will Zulu rejoin us as she was before, or will fans be forced to bid her farewell too soon?
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