Surgery for Rachel Alexandra; condition serious

by Press Release | 02.13.2013 | 11:09pm

Stonestreet Farm shared Wednesday night via social media that Rachel Alexandra, 2009 Horse of the Year, was taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington, Ky., late Wednesday when complications developed related to the birth of her Bernardini filly.

Rachel Alexandra underwent surgery to repair an area of bruising in her small colon, which was injured during foaling. Dr. Brett Woodie performed the surgery and Rachel is currently in recovery under the watch of Dr. Bonnie Barr. A full prognosis cannot be determined at this time, but her condition is serious.

“We are solely focused on making sure Rachel is as comfortable as possible. She is showing the same strength and courage now that she demonstrated on the track,” said owner, Barbara Banke. “Our hearts are broken by this turn of events and I can only ask that you send your thoughts and prayers to Rachel now.”

Rachel Alexandra’s 140-pound filly, born Feb. 12, 2013 at 2:30 a.m. is healthy. The filly has returned to Stonestreet Farm and will be tended by a nurse mare.

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Greg Jones

Prayers and positive thoughts for Rachel and all that love and care for her.
http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Veitch/100000255571090 John Veitch

Hang in there Rachel!!
Greg Jones

Prayers and positive thoughts for Rachel and all that love and care for her.
http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Veitch/100000255571090 John Veitch

Hang in there Rachel!!
HappyHarriet

So sad to hear this news. :(
HappyHarriet

So sad to hear this news. :(
Jan

Sending my love and prayers for Rachel. May she have a sucessful and speedy recovery. God Speed.
Jan

Sending my love and prayers for Rachel. May she have a sucessful and speedy recovery. God Speed.
pppunt

Praying.
pppunt

Praying.
Dmr612

Wishing the best for Rachel Alexandra and her caretakers.
Dmr612

Wishing the best for Rachel Alexandra and her caretakers.
Leavingslowly

I hope she makes it through recovery. It’s a shame she won’t be able to raise her own baby. It was obvious from the pictures that she loved her filly.
- Patricia
  
  I’m believing that she can raise her baby. Praying for complete recovery.
  - diastu in tempe
    
    Patricia: It is unlikely the filly will be returned to Rachel to raise. Rachel will be recovering from this surgery for quite awhile, and they have probably given her meds to dry up her milk production so she won’t have that added discomfort. As others have stated, I am sad for the fate of the nurse mare’s foal.
    - Msjoeedance
      
      Many nurse mares are able to care for more than one foal at a time. Unless you know the actual fate of the nurse mare’s foal please do not speculate. My mare died 10 hrs after foaling and a wonderful nurse mare took care of my foal and another foal at the same time…
      - Rabbitastrophe
        
        The nurse mare’s foal will be raised by hand. It was stated in a previous message. I agree with you, a nurse mare should be able to raise two foals at the same time. I just find it sad that it was ‘Replaced’ by Rachel’s, although I really want RA’s foal to be healthy. The bonding happened nicely though and the nurse mare adopted RA’s filly within hours.
    - Patricia
      
      diastu in tempe, thank you for explaining this to me … I am so sorry for Rachel and her baby. My heart goes out to everyone involved. Continued prayers.
      - Patricia
        
        It is apparent from my comment that I did not understand just what this surgery means for both Rachel and her baby. I have since read about this heart-breaking practice … I hope that both foals are taken care of. More sad news ….
        
        “Every misfortune that befalls an animal always takes away a little piece of your soul.” (Author Unknown)
Leavingslowly

I hope she makes it through recovery. It’s a shame she won’t be able to raise her own baby. It was obvious from the pictures that she loved her filly.
ThoroughbredWriter

Praying. It’s Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent…but at the other end is resurrection. God is in the business of resurrection: I am praying for full recovery for the great Queen.
ThoroughbredWriter

Praying. It’s Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent…but at the other end is resurrection. God is in the business of resurrection: I am praying for full recovery for the great Queen.
Skip Ean

Please please pray for this beautiful wonderful mare who is loved by all of us. We are grief-stricken and there will be no sleeping tonight until we know she has pulled through. We hope and pray hard for her recovery, and then–no more breeding. I was thrilled when she had this foal because no complications were mentioned. She had to go to Rood & Riddle after the first foal, and this time i thought it was great that she didn’t need that. And then this…our hearts are strained to breaking and we cannot stop the tears…we love you, Rachel–prayers and healing to you!
Skip Ean

Please please pray for this beautiful wonderful mare who is loved by all of us. We are grief-stricken and there will be no sleeping tonight until we know she has pulled through. We hope and pray hard for her recovery, and then–no more breeding. I was thrilled when she had this foal because no complications were mentioned. She had to go to Rood & Riddle after the first foal, and this time i thought it was great that she didn’t need that. And then this…our hearts are strained to breaking and we cannot stop the tears…we love you, Rachel–prayers and healing to you!
Cindy Olsen

We love you Rachel. Our prayers are with you.
Cindy Olsen

We love you Rachel. Our prayers are with you.
http://twitter.com/nancyalis nancy albino

I am praying for Rachel. I’m sorry she won’t be able to care for her new filly.
http://twitter.com/nancyalis nancy albino

I am praying for Rachel. I’m sorry she won’t be able to care for her new filly.
Deb64lewis

I hope everything gos alright!my prayers to you all!!!!!!
Deb64lewis

I hope everything gos alright!my prayers to you all!!!!!!
Harry

No No No I love her so much. Please God help her I love this horse so much.
Harry

No No No I love her so much. Please God help her I love this horse so much.
http://twitter.com/GuyFleegman1 Guy Fleegman

Prayers for Rachel and those that take care of her.
http://twitter.com/GuyFleegman1 Guy Fleegman

Prayers for Rachel and those that take care of her.
diastu in tempe

Correction to the Gratefulness Candles site: http://www.gratefulness.org
Delrene22

To Rachel and her caretakers. Please get well. Such a beautiful Mom and am just heartbroken that she is having serious complications. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for keeping us informed of her situation.
Delrene22

To Rachel and her caretakers. Please get well. Such a beautiful Mom and am just heartbroken that she is having serious complications. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for keeping us informed of her situation.
Anne

What sad, heart breaking news. Power up now goes to Rachel. Fight hard special girl.
You can do it! I too, was relieved to see her standing by her new foal seeming to enjoy her especially after last year. ugh…Not the news anyone of us expected.
Anne

What sad, heart breaking news. Power up now goes to Rachel. Fight hard special girl.
You can do it! I too, was relieved to see her standing by her new foal seeming to enjoy her especially after last year. ugh…Not the news anyone of us expected.
http://twitter.com/BALDWILLY Bald Horse Willy

Love , Prayers and Hope knowing she is in wonderful , expert hands at Rood and Riddle. Be strong Warrior! You can pull through this!!!!
http://twitter.com/BALDWILLY Bald Horse Willy

Love , Prayers and Hope knowing she is in wonderful , expert hands at Rood and Riddle. Be strong Warrior! You can pull through this!!!!
GreyK

group name is racha. Many prayers for Rachel and her humans.
GreyK

group name is racha. Many prayers for Rachel and her humans.
http://www.facebook.com/trishashockey Patricia Shockey

Rachel, you & Curlin will always be my 2 Horses of Years…Please recover, you are a living legend.!!!…prayers to all connections to Rachel A.
http://www.facebook.com/trishashockey Patricia Shockey

Rachel, you & Curlin will always be my 2 Horses of Years…Please recover, you are a living legend.!!!…prayers to all connections to Rachel A.
Mscaritoyou

Prayers beautifull girl that you make it..much prayers and tears
Mscaritoyou

Prayers beautifull girl that you make it..much prayers and tears
Rachel

That’s 2 out of 2 times she’s had problems.:-(
Rachel

That’s 2 out of 2 times she’s had problems.:-(
Meyer1127

OH,no.She had trouble with after her first foal was born.
I do hope she will be OK
Meyer1127

OH,no.She had trouble with after her first foal was born.
I do hope she will be OK
Anderson5999

This is very sad news, I will be praying for Rachel.
Anderson5999

This is very sad news, I will be praying for Rachel.
Jill786

Fervent prayers and best wishes and thoughts for this fabulous beautiful mare.
Jill786

Fervent prayers and best wishes and thoughts for this fabulous beautiful mare.
Tveazey

OMG, heartfelt concern and prayers for this amazing girl. Please do all and everything possible to save her. She is so special and deserves only the best.
Love to her and wishing a speedy and full recovery
Tveazey

OMG, heartfelt concern and prayers for this amazing girl. Please do all and everything possible to save her. She is so special and deserves only the best.
Love to her and wishing a speedy and full recovery
ThoroughbredWriter

No updates, eh? I continue to pray, but wish we’d hear something. It’s been almost 12 hours. God bless you, Rachel. We love you. <3
ThoroughbredWriter

No updates, eh? I continue to pray, but wish we’d hear something. It’s been almost 12 hours. God bless you, Rachel. We love you. <3
Kim S

Power up Rachel! Be strong like Paynter, Northster, Potesta and others that have regained their strength and health.

Dear Stonestreet, this is the second foal and the second trip to Rood & Riddle after the birth. Maybe Rachel isn’t meant to be a broodmare. Could she be retired and become a permanent resident at Old Friends? She has too many fans that love her and would definitely make the trip to visit her.
- Patricia
  
  Well said, Kim!
Kim S

Power up Rachel! Be strong like Paynter, Northster, Potesta and others that have regained their strength and health.

Dear Stonestreet, this is the second foal and the second trip to Rood & Riddle after the birth. Maybe Rachel isn’t meant to be a broodmare. Could she be retired and become a permanent resident at Old Friends? She has too many fans that love her and would definitely make the trip to visit her.
Ida Lee

Dear Lord: Please heal Rachel…she is so special to so many people. We love her like she was our own and help us to cope during this most trying time. Right now, the tears are endless…this indeed is my worst nightmare.
Ida Lee

Dear Lord: Please heal Rachel…she is so special to so many people. We love her like she was our own and help us to cope during this most trying time. Right now, the tears are endless…this indeed is my worst nightmare.
WT

Two years in a row this mare has had problems. Hello?
- LL
  
  Just mentioned to someone yesterday how upset I get when they breed these mares year after year with no breaks. I can’t believe that’s healthy even though they are well taken care of.
WT

Two years in a row this mare has had problems. Hello?
In Tears

Dear God help her. I sit here shaking as I write this. she is in good hands at Rood & Riddle. If she makes it till tomorrow and I pray she does, she had a chance. I her broodmare days are done. But this great mare will still be with us. I pray for her people the stress of going through this is terrible. The clinic I had my mare at kept telling me to go home. I stayed two days in my truck, spending my time talking to my mare in a up beat voice. If you sound worried they get scared. I have my mare but no more foals, she is the love of my life. Help her fight be with her love her and pray, a lot.
In Tears

Dear God help her. I sit here shaking as I write this. she is in good hands at Rood & Riddle. If she makes it till tomorrow and I pray she does, she had a chance. I her broodmare days are done. But this great mare will still be with us. I pray for her people the stress of going through this is terrible. The clinic I had my mare at kept telling me to go home. I stayed two days in my truck, spending my time talking to my mare in a up beat voice. If you sound worried they get scared. I have my mare but no more foals, she is the love of my life. Help her fight be with her love her and pray, a lot.
Noelle

Please God she comes through safe and well. Maybe two babies is enough.
Noelle

Please God she comes through safe and well. Maybe two babies is enough.
Forthegood

It is so fortunate that she has the highest level of veterinary expertise and experience in the world just minutes away. A life saver for many great horses who are based in Central Kentucky. Prayers for her and for the vets caring for her
Forthegood

It is so fortunate that she has the highest level of veterinary expertise and experience in the world just minutes away. A life saver for many great horses who are based in Central Kentucky. Prayers for her and for the vets caring for her
Tneconnors

Prayers sent for Rachel Alexandra…stay strong, please be OK.
Tneconnors

Prayers sent for Rachel Alexandra…stay strong, please be OK.
Tiptoptapit

It’s time to ste GRRED aside and not breed this mare any more two foals and both times eneded up at the clinic.
Tiptoptapit

It’s time to ste GRRED aside and not breed this mare any more two foals and both times eneded up at the clinic.
Sonyferrarixano

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Rachel Alexandra and foal. Does this mean Rachel will never get to know her foal?
Sonyferrarixano

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Rachel Alexandra and foal. Does this mean Rachel will never get to know her foal?
Helen Mallazzo

I feel more sorry for the foal of the nurse mare. This practice needs to be stopped. You bred Rachael, if she has complications from the foaling, you should be out there feeding that baby with a bottle.
Helen Mallazzo

I feel more sorry for the foal of the nurse mare. This practice needs to be stopped. You bred Rachael, if she has complications from the foaling, you should be out there feeding that baby with a bottle.
Nancy Mcneill

Praying for this beautiful horse, Love her and also praying for her precious foal!!
Nancy Mcneill

Praying for this beautiful horse, Love her and also praying for her precious foal!!
Railbird528

Of course we are praying for the beautiful Rachel, so very sorry to hear this news, breaks our hearts, but if she had difficulty after the first birth, why did you try it again … please dear God let her live!!! Common Rachel … sweet girl!!!
Railbird528

Of course we are praying for the beautiful Rachel, so very sorry to hear this news, breaks our hearts, but if she had difficulty after the first birth, why did you try it again … please dear God let her live!!! Common Rachel … sweet girl!!!
Patricia

I’m believing that she can raise her baby. Praying for complete recovery.
diastu in tempe

Ray: Last night I posted my wishes for Rachel and included a link to the Gratefulness Candles sight. Is that why you pulled my comment?

Repeating without the link:

Oh beautiful girl – please beat the odds and get better. We all love you so and your sweet filly. Power Up Rachel.
diastu in tempe

“site”
diastu in tempe

Ray: Last night I posted my wishes for Rachel and included a link to the Gratefulness Candles sight. Is that why you pulled my comment?

Repeating without the link:

Oh beautiful girl – please beat the odds and get better. We all love you so and your sweet filly. Power Up Rachel.
diastu in tempe

“site”
diastu in tempe

Patricia: It is unlikely the filly will be returned to Rachel to raise. Rachel will be recovering from this surgery for quite awhile, and they have probably given her meds to dry up her milk production so she won’t have that added discomfort. As others have stated, I am sad for the fate of the nurse mare’s foal.
LL

Just mentioned to someone yesterday how upset I get when they breed these mares year after year with no breaks. I can’t believe that’s healthy even though they are well taken care of.
Msjoeedance

Many nurse mares are able to care for more than one foal at a time. Unless you know the actual fate of the nurse mare’s foal please do not speculate. My mare died 10 hrs after foaling and a wonderful nurse mare took care of my foal and another foal at the same time…
Patricia

diastu in tempe, thank you for explaining this to me … I am so sorry for Rachel and her baby. My heart goes out to everyone involved. Continued prayers.
Patricia

Well said, Kim!
Patricia

It is apparent from my comment that I did not understand just what this surgery means for both Rachel and her baby. I have since read about this heart-breaking practice … I hope that both foals are taken care of. More sad news ….

“Every misfortune that befalls an animal always takes away a little piece of your soul.” (Author Unknown)
Peggy

My mare quit producing eggs 3 years ago and after another mare refused her own foal my mare took the foal and is nursing it as if it were hers. She has also produced milk for that foal and is now produced eggs for she is now preg. Nature is great as God is just give it a chance. Don’t always asume horse people are greedy, most of us really love our horses.
Peggy Gibson
Peggy

My mare quit producing eggs 3 years ago and after another mare refused her own foal my mare took the foal and is nursing it as if it were hers. She has also produced milk for that foal and is now produced eggs for she is now preg. Nature is great as God is just give it a chance. Don’t always asume horse people are greedy, most of us really love our horses.
Peggy Gibson
http://www.facebook.com/BANAMINE1 James Wood

She is running the hardest race of her life,and a thousand furlong of Prayers your a strong girl .
http://www.facebook.com/BANAMINE1 James Wood

She is running the hardest race of her life,and a thousand furlong of Prayers your a strong girl .
Foxfield

I am at a loss for any words that would make this better for anyone; her connections, all her fans, everyone at Rood and Riddle. For those of us who believe in some power greater than all of us Earthlings, a prayerful incantation is all we can do at this point. Life is often never easy for broodmares….we don’t give them enough credit for giving us our next champions year after year. Hoping He will continue to walk beside her and carry her over the finish line in her greatest race ever.
Foxfield

I am at a loss for any words that would make this better for anyone; her connections, all her fans, everyone at Rood and Riddle. For those of us who believe in some power greater than all of us Earthlings, a prayerful incantation is all we can do at this point. Life is often never easy for broodmares….we don’t give them enough credit for giving us our next champions year after year. Hoping He will continue to walk beside her and carry her over the finish line in her greatest race ever.
Steele Dutchess

I am really hoping Rachel can recover..very serious situation. I am not sure what all this business is about the nurse mares foal .. I’ve been seeing alot of untruths lately on the internet about this. I’m a 32 yr breeder only one or two now but in the past 8-10 mares. I don’t know everything but I DO know I had a mare who every year would try her hardest to steal another’s foal . ANY mares foal was subject to attempted theft by her . One year that came in handy when she was DRY (had no foal that year) and a young mare totally, DANGEROUSLY rejected her baby. I let her steal the filly and within hours her milk came in as if that really HAD been hers. .She was notorious for nursing several of the foals every year . We just laughed. Everyone was fine. Be glad there is a nurse mare , I’m sure her foal , if she even has one , like in my case that year , is fine.
Steele Dutchess

I am really hoping Rachel can recover..very serious situation. I am not sure what all this business is about the nurse mares foal .. I’ve been seeing alot of untruths lately on the internet about this. I’m a 32 yr breeder only one or two now but in the past 8-10 mares. I don’t know everything but I DO know I had a mare who every year would try her hardest to steal another’s foal . ANY mares foal was subject to attempted theft by her . One year that came in handy when she was DRY (had no foal that year) and a young mare totally, DANGEROUSLY rejected her baby. I let her steal the filly and within hours her milk came in as if that really HAD been hers. .She was notorious for nursing several of the foals every year . We just laughed. Everyone was fine. Be glad there is a nurse mare , I’m sure her foal , if she even has one , like in my case that year , is fine.
roxanne

this is the 2nd difficult delivery for her maybe they should consider taking her out the brood mare band she deserves a long and healthy off track life
roxanne

this is the 2nd difficult delivery for her maybe they should consider taking her out the brood mare band she deserves a long and healthy off track life
Jredding1947

Praying for recovery Grey Dawn Stables in Ocala Fl.
Jredding1947

Praying for recovery Grey Dawn Stables in Ocala Fl.
Rabbitastrophe

The nurse mare’s foal will be raised by hand. It was stated in a previous message. I agree with you, a nurse mare should be able to raise two foals at the same time. I just find it sad that it was ‘Replaced’ by Rachel’s, although I really want RA’s foal to be healthy. The bonding happened nicely though and the nurse mare adopted RA’s filly within hours.