Graded Stakes Winner Con Lima Dies at 4

Graded stakes winner Con Lima  has been euthanized after suffering a catastrophic injury in her stall the evening of March 9, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners announced March 10.

"We are not certain what happened," Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbreds said. "The night watchman on duty found her down in her stall. It was unclear whether she was colicking or sustained an injury. As soon as the attending veterinarian was able to get to her, it was evident that she had suffered an irreparable injury where unfortunately it was a very black and white predicament. None of us like to be faced with this, but certainly (it was) the most humane thing to do in those circumstances."

We’re devastated to report Con Lima suffered a catastrophic injury in her stall last night and had to be euthanized. Con Lima epitomized all that was good about thoroughbred racehorses and our heart goes out to her, our partners, her breeders and all who cared for this grand gal. pic.twitter.com/GUPeAv64jh

— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) March 10, 2022

The Commissioner  filly showed early promise in her first two starts at Gulfstream Park for trainer Carlos David and owners Joseph F. Graffeo, Eric Nikolaus Del Toro, and Troy Johnson, after which Eclipse Thoroughbreds purchased an interest in her. Turned over to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, she subsequently placed in the P.G. Johnson Stakes and Our Dear Peggy Stakes. In January of her 3-year-old campaign, she repeated a win at Gulfstream in the Ginger Brew Stakes and later that month was runner-up in the Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3T). Her next time out, she won the Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T) and followed that up with a fourth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

Con Lima proceeded to show her staying power with a win in the Honey Ryder Stakes, then took the Wonder Again Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park. She finished out her year in New York with a second-place finish in the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) and a win the next month in the Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3T). From 13 starts, she compiled a record of 7-5-0 with earnings of $884,865.

Bred in Texas by Lisa Kuhlmann, Con Lima was out of the stakes-winning Consolidator  mare Second Street City. She was the 2020 Texas-bred champion 2-year-old filly and was honored in 2021 as Texas Horse of the Year and champion Texas-bred 3-year-old filly.

She was a $15,000 weanling purchase by V. C. Corp from the Vinery Sales Consignment at the 2018 November Breeding Stock Sale at Keeneland before twice failing to meet her reserve in later auctions.

"This type of rags to riches story is hard to come by. Since the news has come out, it's been incredible how many people followed her," Wellman said. "We live in a bubble and she was very special to us in our organization, but when a horse like her touches the hearts of so many fans, it's moving. She was one of a kind and hopefully we can remember her legacy and try and find more like her, if we can."