SURGERY FOR SLEW

By Sarah Whitelaw
2 April 2002

The last living American Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew, has undergone surgery and it is doubtful if the 28 year old stallion will return to the breeding shed.

The son of Bold Reasoning and outstanding Poker mare, My Charmer, Seattle Slew has been moved from Three Chimneys Farm to Hill  ‘n’ Dale Farm where it is hoped he can recuperate.

Seattle Slew underwent surgery two years ago for spinal cord compression when he struggled to get his mares in foal.

He seemed to recover from that however when highly fertile last year and the problems seemed to be over.

Unfortunately the problem has returned and “Slew” has been moved from Three Chimneys as he was agitated by the mares coming to be bred to the other stallions which include Point Given, Silver Charm, War Chant and Wild Again.

Seattle Slew is the only horse to win the American Triple Crown while unbeaten and stayed in training as a four year old when he beat 1978 Triple Crown hero Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup. He was named Champion older male and was retired to Spendthrift Stud. He was later moved to Three Chimneys where his champion son, Slew O’Gold, joined him.

Champion sire in 1984, Seattle Slew reached the milestone of siring 100 stakes winners this year. He had one of his best seasons last year when four of his offspring were Gr I winners Scorpion, Serra Lake, Flute and Fleet Renee.

A successful sire of sires with the likes of A.P. Indy, Capote and General Meeting all succeeding at stud and now highly promising grandson Matty G., Slew has been a great broodmare sire with champions Cigar, Lemon Drop Kid, Golden Attraction and Escena, all produced from daughters of his.