The Green Monkey, whose physical bearing, fast work times, and respectable pedigree led to a record $16 million auction price as a 2-year-old in 2006, was euthanized earlier this year after a long battle with laminitis, owners of the horse confirmed on Monday night. The Green Monkey, who never came close to living up to his auction price as either a racehorse or sire, was put down in May at Harley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds in Florida, according to a part-owner of the farm, Randy Hartley. The 14-year-old horse had been struggling with laminitis for the better part of a year, according to Hartley. :: DRF BREEDING LIVE: Real-time coverage of breeding and sales The horse’s death was first reported by The Paulick Report. The Green Monkey was purchased by Coolmore, the international racing and breeding operation, after the Forestry colt worked an eighth-mile in 9 4/5 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida select 2-year-olds in training sale at Calder Race Course. The colt had been pinhooked into the sale by Hartley and his partner Dean DeRenzo after the pair purchased him as a yearling for $425,000. The colt had little success on the racetrack. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he never won in three starts, and he was retired as a 3-year-old after reportedly struggling with leg problems. Hartley/DeRenzo purchased a half-share in the horse to stand him at its Florida farm. In his first year, he covered 40 mares, but interest in the colt waned considerably after that first season. - additional reporting by Mark Simon