SUNLINE (NZ) - 29 September 1995-1 May 2009
Bred in New Zealand by Susan Archer & Michael Martin
1st May 2009
We are devastated by the news of Sunline’s death and feel both profound grief, and profound gratitude for everything she gave us and the entire racing world.
There have been and will be other great Australasian champions, but there will never, ever be another Sunline. Her magnificent physique, ferocious competitive spirit and indomitable courage were all that any breeder could hope to produce, and all that anyone who loves the thoroughbred horse could wish to see.
In a career that spanned 48 starts in four countries across six seasons she was the best possible representative of the New Zealand thoroughbred industry, and the finest inspiration for a sport powered by impossible dreams. Her record of 32 wins, 13 at Group One level, remains the permanent measure of her greatness.
Sunline is her own benchmark, and stands easily in the company of the greatest legends of the Australian and New Zealand turf. She leaves this world with a memory of equine magnificence that will not be erased.
May the blessings of a horse-loving heaven be heaped upon her.
Susan and Michael
We're pleased to provide a re-formatted, updated PDF version of the pages devoted to Sunline on the previous NZTBA website.
Although it's now four years since the great mare retired to stud - and she's about to deliver her third foal - neither we, nor her fans have forgotten her. Sunline remains
New Zealand's champion, in the magnificent tradition of her fellow inaugural inductees in the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame:
Carbine, Gloaming, Phar Lap &
Kindergarten.
This is our tribute to her, compiled by Susan Archer for the NZTBA, & updated to February 2007:
SUNLINE: NEW ZEALAND'S CHAMPION
Canberra photographer Bronwen Healy took many of the best images of Sunline during her racing career.
This is one of them, a stunning head study, taken after the 1999 Cox Plate G1.