Carson Hollow, a Grade 1 winner and the New York-bred horse of the year in 2002, died Monday in Canada from complications from colic surgery.

Carson Hollow, a 4-year-old daughter of Carson City, was owned by Frank Stronach and Hemlock Hills Farms. She ran second in the Grade 2 Genuine Risk at Belmont Park on May 11, her final start.

Shortly after the Genuine Risk, Carson Hollow, who was trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., was operated on for a chip in her left knee. She recently was moved from Stronach's Adena Springs Kentucky farm to his Canadian farm, where she was to begin light training for a return to the races next year.

Dr. Daniel Duncan, who serves as Stronach's veterinary director, said Carson Hollow underwent surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College and was in recovery when she went into endotoxic shock and died.

Carson Hollow, who was bred by Patricia Staskowski, began her career as a 3-year-old and got off to a fast start by winning her first four races by a combined margin of 27 1/2 lengths. In her fourth start, she won the Grade 1 Prioress at Belmont. Following the Prioress, Stronach bought controlling interest in Carson Hollow.

Perhaps the race Carson Hollow will be best remembered for is the one she lost last year at Saratoga. In the Grade 1 Test, Carson Hollow lost a stretch-long battle with multiple Grade 1 winner You by a nose after setting scorching early fractions.

After the Test, Carson Hollow won the Grade 3 Floral Park at Belmont and then closed out her year by finishing last in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Arlington Park on Oct. 26.

This year, Carson Hollow finished second behind Eclipse Award champion Xtra Heat in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park. Her last career win came in the Grade 2 Distaff Breeders' Cup at Aqueduct on March 29.

"She was a very nice horse to be around," Dutrow said Tuesday. "She was our friend."

Carson Hollow had a record of 6-3-0 in 10 starts and earnings of $500,110. She will be cremated and her remains will be buried at Adena Springs North.