Vindication, winner of the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and voted champion 2-year-old, has been euthanized following the discovery of an irreparable gastric rupture.

The 8-year-old Vindication was euthanized Thursday at Rood and Riddle Veterinary hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

A son of 1977 Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew, Vindication won all four of his starts in 2002 before beginning his stallion career. He has sired 41 winners who have taken over $2 million in purse earnings.

Vindication, owned by Padua Stables, was taken to Rood and Riddle late Wednesday with signs of colic. Doctors discovered the rupture during exploratory surgery.