Breeding & Racing Magazine

US Champ Chilukki Dies During Foaling

In the US, 1999 Champion 2YO filly Chilukki (Cherokee Run-Song Of Syria, by Damascus) "died at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington after complications during foaling & her Ghostzapper colt also was lost during the foaling," reported thoroughbredtimes.com. During her championship season, Chilukki (a US$875,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2YOs-In-Training sale at Calder) won her initial 6 starts (her debut by 9.25-lengths at Churchill Downs, followed by 5 straight graded stakes victories, including the Gr1 Vinery Del Mar Debutante Stakes, Gr1 Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita, Gr3 Kentucky Breeders' Cup Stakes in which she defeated males & Gr3 Debutante Stakes) before finishing 2nd in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream Park; as a 3YO she added victory in the Gr2 Churchill Downs Distaff Handicap (now renamed the annual Gr2 Chilukki Stakes) while setting a track record (1 of 2 she set at the Louisville track) which still stands at 1min 33.57sec for 8 furlongs: & as a 4YO she won the Gr2 El Encino Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Overall Chilukki won 11 races from 17 starts & earned US$1,201,828. Subsequently as a broodmare at Stonerside Farm in Kentucky, Chilukki has produced both winning Storm Cat colt Chubasco Cat & his winning full-sister Chilukki Cat; Chilukki also has an unraced 2YO colt by A.P.Indy & an unnamed yearling filly by Elusive Quality.