by Deirdre B. Biles
Date Posted: 11/6/2006 5:59:47 PM
Last Updated: 11/6/2006 7:09:09 PM
Pine Island, who was euthanized after breaking down in the Nov. 4 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, was buried at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., Monday at 1 p.m. (EST). Her grave is located next to that of champion Banshee Breeze in the nursery's Marchmont cemetery, according to Claiborne manager Gus Koch.
Bred and raced by the Phipps Stable, Pine Island was foaled and raised at Claiborne. Other well-known Phipps family runners buried in the cemetery where Pine Island rests include Easy Goer and Relaxing.
"It was very private, just for the farm personnel," said Koch of the burial. "It was very respectful."
Pine Island's only season of competition was this year. The 3-year-old daughter of Arch won four of her seven races and earned $666,800. She captured two grade I events, the Alabama and Gazelle Stakes. She was the second betting choice in the Distaff, with odds slightly higher than those of Fleet Indian, who suffered a suspensory ligament injury and didn't finish the race.
"It was a sad, sad day," said Koch of this year's Breeders' Cup. "It was a sad day for the Phippses and for all of us at Claiborne, which was home to Pine Island. It also was a sad day when we had to bury her. We foaled her and weaned her and raised her as a yearling. She was a lovely individual to be around and very nice to get along with. It's just a tragic loss."
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