Dam of Havre de Grace Dies

Easter Bunnette (Carson City–Toll Fee, by Topsider) died as a result of hemorrhaging after foaling her Bernardini colt Apr. 18 at Mill Ridge Farm. The 17-year-old was known best for producing Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam). 

“It is everyone’s dream in this business to associate with a mare like Easter Bunnette,” Mill Ridge Farm’s Headley Bell said. “Most of her foals were of the quality that let you believe they could be champions. Fortunately for breeder Nancy Dillman and owner Rick Porter, Havre de Grace fulfilled that dream being named the 2011 Horse of the Year.” 

The fourth foal out of Easter Bunnette, Havre de Grace was named Champion Older Female and Horse of the Year in 2011 after beating the boys in the GI Woodward S., in additiong to winning the GI Beldame Invitational S., GIII Azeri S. and GIII Obeah S. Finishing fourth to Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor) in that year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, the bay boasts a racing record of 16-9-4-2 and earnings of $2,586,175. 

Havre de Grace set a new world record when hammered down to Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm for $10 million at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Easter Bunnette’s now 4-year-old Brabbham (Bernardini) brought $1.2 million as a yearling at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton August sale; and her now 3-year-old Tizavision (Tiznow) sold for $1.7 million at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale. 

Easter Bunnette produced a total of 10 foals, and out of the five that have raced there is only one other winner besides her champion filly. Her unraced progeny include Tizavision, 2-year-old filly Mademoiselle Coco (Medaglia d’Oro), a yearling colt by Medaglia d’Oro and the Bernardini colt she produced last week. 

Campaigned by Jack H. Smith III Thoroughbreds and trainer Frank Shannon during her brief career, the chestnut retired with a record of 11-3-3-1 and earnings of $36,851.