Lexington, KY — Diamond Creek Farm owner Adam Bowden told the U.S. Trotting Association Saturday morning (Aug. 21) that the 7-year-old pacing stallion Downbytheseaside is now recovering after undergoing emergency colic surgery on Thursday (Aug. 19), shortly after arriving Down Under for the upcoming breeding season at Woodlands Stud.

Downbytheseaside is now recovering after undergoing emergency colic surgery. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

“He had just arrived,” said Bowden. “The vets that were with him caught it early, which was good because they probably ended up saving his life. They got him to the surgery center. They ended up taking three meters of small intestine. It’s not a ton, but obviously enough, and that’s what was compromised.

“It’s obviously early but he’s on the improve right now. He’s back in quarantine from the hospital now. I don’t know that he’s out of the woods yet, but at this point, all signs are pointing up. I’m getting updates every six to eight hours and so far they have all been positive. I saw pictures of him in a video and all the vitals seem good at this point, so it’s looking good.”

In the U.S., the world champion and 2017 Pacer of the Year Downbytheseaside stands stud at Sugar Valley Farm in Ohio. His first North American crop is now on the racetrack, and he currently leads all pacing stallions for money-winning 2-year-olds, with earnings from his 77 starters totaling $1,191,220. With average earnings of $10,269, Downbytheseaside also tops that list. Downbytheseaside‘s first Down Under foals will turn two in 2022.

Bowden said he is unsure as to Downbytheseaside‘s return to the breeding shed at Woodlands Stud.

“It’s one of those things where we are going to take it day by day at this point,” said Bowden. “He wasn’t supposed to return until Feb. 1. I don’t know how this affects his breeding season in the Southern Hemisphere. He was scheduled to breed between 375 and 400 mares, so I would assume that would be affected. But we’ll let Dr. (Andrew) Grierson at Woodlands advise us. He’s one of the greatest ever and (Downbytheseaside) is in good hands and he’ll do right by the horse.”

Bowden said this is the second time Downbytheseaide suffered a bout of colic while traveling, the first coming early in 2020 when he was returning from the breeding season in Australia and New Zealand.

“He had a small colic episode in flight last year on the way back to the States,” said Bowden. “It was something minor, but obviously he’s not a happy traveler.”