Bob Baffert, coach of Kentucky Derby champion Medina Spirit, stands near the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28, 2021.
Brian Woolston | Reuters
One of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Buffett’s horses is Euthanized at Pimlico Racecourse Another black eye for the embattled movement came at the bottom of the Baltimore Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
Havnameltdown, 4-5 favorite $200,000 Tier IIII Chick Lang Stakesthrowing jockey Louis Seth at the top of the race.
“We’re just devastated,” Buffett said in a statement. This is a shock to everyone in our stable who loves these horses every day. “
Havnameltdown came out of an internal stall and was hit by No. 2 horse and eventual winner Ryvit, causing him to turn briefly over the rail.
“Havnameltdown has obviously been a big hit,” Baffert added. “We don’t know if this was the cause of the injury, but we will be completely transparent with those reviewing this horrific accident. Right now, our thoughts are with Luis Seth and we hope he will be okay.”
On-call athletics vet Scott Hay said the Hanvameltdown injury was catastrophic and there was nothing he could do. The horse was let down while it was still on the track.
“Unfortunately Havnameltdown suffered a severe injury to his front left ankle and they were unable to do anything for him and he had to be euthanized humanely,” Hay told NBC Sports.
“The extent of the injuries was so severe that it may have been in the horse’s best interests to euthanize the horse at the time, rather than attempting to lift him into an ambulance.”
The colt was euthanized earlier this month after a spate of horse deaths ahead of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
eight horses died For a little over a week at the famous Louisville stadium, concerns have been raised about the sport’s treatment of animals.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.