AP fileLEXINGTON, Ky. - Saint Liam, the 2005 Eclipse Award winner as thoroughbred racing’s Horse of the Year, was euthanized on Tuesday after injuring his hind leg.
The 6-year-old stallion, who won the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Belmont Park last October, was being turned out at his paddock at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky., when he slipped and fell, suffering a left tibial fracture.
He was taken to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, where he was euthanized.
Dr. Larry Bramlage, who examined Saint Liam when he arrived at the hospital, said there was no treatment possible on the injury.
“It was a freak accident,” Bramlage said. “It’s something that would require months of bedrest in a person, but in a horse, he had nothing in the leg left to support him.”
Saint Liam, a son of Saint Ballado and trained by Richard Dutrow, won nine of his 20 career starts and earned $4,456,995.
A message was left seeking comment from Lane’s End Farm.
The horse’s death was first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
The first of three pools of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins its three-day run on Friday and the bet's opening scenario is very similar to each of its opening pools since the wager was created in 1999.
It's first time that Classic will be broadcast in primetime on Nov. 3.
INTERACTIVE |
Slideshow |
Derby celebs Plenty of stars from the entertainment and sports world attend the 136th Kentucky Derby. more photos |
INTERACTIVE |
Triple Crown winners The horses that have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in the same year. |
Slideshow |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |