Black Caviar's half-brother 'Jimmy' euthanized

The Redoute's Choice two-year-old half-brother to Black Caviar and All Too

Hard, purchased for an Australian yearling record of A$5 million at Inglis

Easter and affectionately known as "Jimmy," was euthanized Sunday at the

Melbourne University Veterinary Hospital in Werribee, Victoria. The colt had

developed laminitis that is believed to have stemmed from an adverse reaction to

antibiotics used to treat a spider bite in November.

Jimmy was purchased by BC3 Thoroughbreds at Easter earlier this year. However

the sale company held security over the colt as a result of BC3's failure to pay

for him. BC3 Thoroughbreds crumbled just weeks ago after its CEO Bill Vlahos

resigned amidst bankruptcy and multi-million dollar charges stemming from member

losses from a punting club he operated.

Inglis CEO Mark Webster revealed the news Sunday morning on his blog, writing

the following:

"As a lover of all horses, but in particular the magnificent Thoroughbred, it

is with a heavy heart that I write this post. At approximately 11 a.m. this

morning the Redoute's Choice-Helsinge two-year-old colt known as Jimmy was

euthanized on humane grounds at the Melbourne University Veterinary Hospital in

Werribee Victoria.

"Jimmy was suffering from laminitis, a painful hoof condition that impacts on

the mobility of horses. It is believed the laminitis developed after suffering

an adverse reaction to antibiotics, which were being used to treat his swollen

leg when admitted to the hospital in early November.

"Jimmy became a household name after setting a new record price as yearling

at the 2013 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, reaching $5 million to the bid of BC3

Thoroughbreds. As the younger sibling to champions Black Caviar and All Too

Hard, we all had great expectations for Jimmy on the track and in the breeding

barn.

"This is a very sad outcome for all involved. I would like to take this

opportunity to thank all of the staff at the Werribee Hospital for their

dedicated care, in particular to Dr. Chris Whitton and his colleagues who

monitored Jimmy throughout the Christmas period."

Jimmy is out of the 12-year-old Helsinge who, in addition to producing world

champion sprinter Black Caviar and four-time Group 1 winner All Too Hard, is

also the dam of sophomore filly Belle Couture. Purchased by BC3 for A$2.6

million at the 2012 Inglis Easter Sale, the full sister to Jimmy finished a

narrow second on debut at Bendigo in Victoria a week ago.