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Investigation launched as Kentucky-Derby winning horse dies while training
Kentucky Derby-winning horse Medina Spirit has died while training in Southern California
Kentucky-Derby winning horse Medina Spirit died of a suspected heart attack while undergoing training at the Santa Anita racetrack in Southern California, according to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).
Medina Spirit collapsed near the finish line just as he was completing a workout and died immediately.
“Following the completion of a routine morning workout, Medina Spirit collapsed on the track at Santa Anita Park and died suddenly of a probable cardiac event according to the on site veterinary team who attended to him,”
Santa Anita Park said in a statement.
The news was also confirmed by its Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who said the 3-year-old champion colt died from a “heart attack” following a workout.
Despite comments made by the trainer the racing board will not determine cause of death until a necropsy and toxicology tests are complete.
The examination and tests will be conducted at the University of California, Davis.
“My entire barn is devastated by this news”
Baffert’s statement read that his entire barn was devastated by the death of the Derby-winning horse.
“Medina Spirit was a great champion, a member of our family who was loved by all, and we are deeply mourning his loss. I will always cherish the proud and personal memories of Medina Spirit and his tremendous spirit.”
Medina Spirit controversy
As well as being an exciting racehorse, Medina Spirit was the subject of one of the sport’s biggest controversies in the United States earlier this year.
Sports Analyst Eric Mitchell told ticker NEWS, after the horse crossed the line, placing first in this year’s Kentucky Derby, it failed a post-race drug test.
The horse’s trainer Bob Baffert was subsequently banned from fielding any horses at the Churchill Downs racetrack for two years after confirmation that the horse returned a positive test for a legal drug whose presence is banned on race day.
Baffert later provided a lengthy statement claiming an ointment used to treat dermatitis may have caused the positive test.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said the investigation into the test is ongoing and paid tribute to the thoroughbred.