Tragedy strikes at Santa Anita as leading Breeders’ Cup fancy dies of suspected heart attack in front of fans
A LEADING fancy for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile sadly died during trackwork at Santa Anita on Tuesday.
Practical Move – who was among the favourites for Saturday’s big race – collapsed and passed away after suffering a heart attack.
APPractical Move sadly died of a heart attack at Santa Anita on Tuesday[/caption]
The tragic and upsetting incident happened at around 6.45am PST, with dozens of fans, journalists and owners looking on.
The sun was just coming up at Santa Anita when red lights began to flash and a warning siren sounded to alert riders and vets that a horse was down on the track.
A eerie hush descended over the course as vets tended to the Tim Yakteen-trained Practical Move, but shortly after he was taken away in a horse ambulance the Breeders’ Cup announced he had sadly died.
An official statement said: “Breeders’ Cup is saddened to report the loss of Practical Move after what is suspected to be a cardiac event while returning from his gallop this morning at Santa Anita.
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“His rider was uninjured, and the horse was immediately tended to by veterinarians from the California Horse Racing Board, 1/ST Racing, and Breeders’ Cup.
“Every year, Breeders’ Cup works closely with its host track, state racing commission, and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) in the lead-up to the World Championships to implement stringent safety and integrity protocols.
“These processes are in place to protect the wellbeing of our human and equine athletes, and Breeders’ Cup is committed to continuously improving the ecosystem of care surrounding every horse.”
There is increased scrutiny and pressure on Breeders’ Cup and racing chiefs in California to tackle and bring down injury rates and fatalities.
On Saturday, Geaux Rocket Ride, a leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, had to undergo life-saving surgery after suffering a serious injury on while in exercise at Santa Anita.
Meanwhile, another Classic hopeful, the Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo, was sadly retired after pulling off a hind shoe in the build-up to the big race.
His trainer Jena Antonucci said: “Sure, there is a big race coming up, but we will always be horse first, no matter what.
“His owner and I have talked a ton about this and if we have ever had any question or doubt, it’s a no, as I know it would be for every other owner and trainer and every horseman on the backside.
“He has been an amazing, life-changing horse for me and he will have a great career at stud.”
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