Today, turf champion Tuscan Evening unexpectedly passed away following a workout at Del Mar.
The Irish-bred mare leaves behind a legacy that includes winning 12 of her 16 starts in the United States.
In the fall of 2008, Owner William De Burgh privately purchased Tuscan Evening as three-year-old maiden and shipped her to the United States.
De Burgh sent Tuscan Evening to Jerry Hollendorfer’s stable to train for her 2009 campaign as a four-year-old.
As the time she joined the stable, Tuscan Evening had never won a race.
Her record did not stop Hollendorfer’s stable from believing in her talent.
On January 22, 2009, Tuscan Evening made her first U.S. start in a maiden race at Santa Anita Race Track. She clinched a five-length victory.
After her maiden victory, she followed her maiden with a 3 ¾ length victory in an allowance race at Santa Anita.
Throughout her 2009 season, Tuscan Evening scored six victories, including her maiden, in ten starts. Of her six victories, two came in graded races.
In 2010, Tuscan Evening remained undefeated as a five-year-old after running in six graded races, including the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes. In three of her last four starts, she led the race wire-to-wire.
The Hollendorfer team put their unflinching faith and love into Tuscan Evening.
They patiently took a winless horse and slowly developed her into a turf champion.
They gave their full heart in doing so.
And, in a sad ending, Tuscan Evening gave her heart in return.
Love is a fragile thing.
But, it goes undefeated.
