Echo Zulu, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2021, was euthanized Sunday at a Southern California veterinary clinic after sustaining a leg injury in her stall, trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. The accident occurred nearly four months after Echo Zulu sustained fractured sesamoids in a workout at Santa Anita. The 5-year-old mare had been recovering at Chino Valley Equine Hospital since the week following the injury. Asmussen said Echo Zulu on Sunday become cast in her stall and was injured when she tried to rise to her feet. An emotional Asmussen described Echo Zulu as an “unbelievable talent.” “She was beyond special,” Asmussen said. “My condolences to all who loved her.” Echo Zulu, who raced for L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds, won 9 of 11 starts and earned $2,640,375. “These cases can be heartbreakers,” said veterinarian Ryan Carpenter, who oversaw Echo Zulu’s recovery. “It throws everyone in a tailspin. :: Subscribe to the DRF Post Time Email Newsletter: Get the news you need to play today's races!  “We’re happy we gave her a chance and honored her through the entire process. She had the absolute best care. We didn’t spare any expense with her.” In a three-year career, Echo Zulu won eight stakes, including four Grade 1 races. Echo Zulu won three Grade 1 races as a 2-year-old, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar en route to her championship. She made four starts as a 3-year-old, winning the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks in Louisiana and finishing second to Goodnight Olive in the 2022 BC Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland that fall. In that season, she was beaten for the first time in her career when fourth by three lengths behind Secret Oath in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Echo Zulu was unbeaten in three starts in 2023. She won her final start in the Grade 1 Ballerina Handicap at Saratoga by 2 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs last August. Echo Zulu was in training for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita when she was injured in October. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.