2019 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner Blue Prize died the evening of Feb. 15 from complications of colic following a troubled foaling, according to Paulick Report. She was 13.
Her death followed the Feb. 11 delivery of a filly by Life Is Good . After post-foaling complications, she was transported to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, where her condition deteriorated, Frank Taylor, director of new business development for Taylor Made Farm, told Paulick Report.
The Argentine-bred daughter of Pure Prize had been part of Larry Best's OXO Equine broodmare band at Taylor Made Farm since topping The November Sale at Fasig-Tipton in 2019, when Best bought her for $5 million as a racing/broodmare prospect from the Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services consignment.
"She just looked so gorgeous—probably the most beautiful horse I've ever seen," Best said of Blue Prize when she arrived at the sale.
Though Blue Prize's Breeders' Cup win in the $2 million Distaff at Santa Anita Park was the richest of her career, it was just one of many significant victories for the accomplished mare. She recorded a 10-8-3 record in 23 starts, making nearly $2.7 million. She was originally campaigned by her breeder in her native Argentina, where she became a group 1 winner and champion.
Bioart S.A. bred her out of the Not For Sale mare Blues for Sale. Blue Prize became only the third Argentine-bred mare to win the Distaff in the 42-year history of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Sent to the United States, she began racing in 2017 for owner Merriebelle Stables and trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Correas. She steadily advanced up the stakes ranks, and in addition to the Distaff, won back-to-back runnings of the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in 2018-19.
The Distaff victory delighted John Moores of Merriebelle Stable. She had been fourth the previous year.
"I think the last 20, 30 seconds of that race I'll never forget as long as I live," Moores said at the time. "It's been an unbelievable experience."
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Though she outfought Midnight Bisou in the Distaff, she finished second to her for champion older dirt mare honors in 2019 Eclipse Award voting. The Distaff was Midnight Bisou's lone defeat all season.
Blue Prize produced five foals, including the Into Mischief mare Playback, a maiden winner at Ellis Park in 2024 for OXO Equine. Her final foal, a Life Is Good filly, will be paired with a nurse mare, Taylor told Paulick Report.
