Art Collector is euthanized with case of laminitis

Art Collector, the 6-year-old winner of five graded stakes including this year's Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, was euthanized Thursday after developing laminitis, according to his owner and his trainer.

“He had a magnificent career,” owner and breeder Bruce Lunsford told Horse Racing Nation on Thursday. “I’ve been in the game a long time, and 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.”

According to trainer Bill Mott, Art Collector was at Saratoga when he was diagnosed.

He was a victim of laminitis, something that progressed rapidly within the last two days, and he just he couldn't be saved, Mott said.

Art Collector opened 2023 with a 4 1/2-length win in the Pegasus and then was second in the New Orleans Classic (G2) and the Alysheba (G2) in May, his most recent start.

Lunsford told HRN last month the Charles Town Classic (G2), won by Art Collector the last two years, was the goal again this year.

Trained as a 2-year-old by Joe Sharp, he was moved to Tommy Drury at 3 and emerged with four wins to start 2020, including a victory in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1). He was expected to be the second choice for the COVID-delayed Kentucky Derby but was scratched the week of the race with a minor foot injury.

Art Collector was moved to Hall of Famer Mott in 2021, and he responded with three straight wins, including the Charles Town Classic and the Woodward, before finishing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

After trying the Saudi Cup (G1) and finishing 12th to start 2022, he came back in August to win the Alydar and then to repeat in the Charles Town Classic.

"I'm sorry for the loss of him," Mott said. "He meant a lot to a lot of different people, people in the barn. And he was kind of a fan favorite, so to speak, I think. He'd been around a while, and it's always difficult to lose one like that."

Art Collector was sired by Bernardini out of Lunsford’s Distorted Humor mare Distorted Legacy. He had a career record of 23: 11-3-0 and earnings of $4,231,290.

"He meant a lot to a lot of people," Mott said. "And it's almost unbelievable when these things happen. We enjoy all the good things, and then all of a sudden, there's always something to kind of balance it out."