Kentucky Derby longshot Wild On Ice has been put down after suffering a training accident in preparation for the US Classic.
The runner from New Mexico sustained a hind leg injury following a five furlong workout at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning and was subsequently euthanised at an equine hospital.
The gelding was set to be ridden in the first leg of the US Triple Crown a week on Saturday by 60-year-old Ken Tohill, who was to become the oldest jockey to ride in the race.
Wild On Ice’s owner Frank Sumpter told the El Paso Times, "Wild On Ice gave us so many great moments.
"He'll forever be remembered. It's a sad situation. My heart goes out to the team, trainer Joel Marr and everyone who helped us get to this point.
“These horses give us so many great moments in life and our team puts in so many hours taking care of the horses. He had a fracture in his hind leg and it was determined he couldn't be saved. Wild On Ice had so much heart."
Wild On Ice earned his place in the field by winning the Grade 3 Sunland Derby and was aiming to become the first gelding to win the Derby since Mine That Bird, who also came from Sunland Park, in 2009.
On Thursday he had completed his exercise under Tohill when he was pulled up down the backstretch
Churchill Downs said: “Wild On Ice was evaluated at the Churchill Downs Equine Medical Center and was subsequently transported to Lexington to an equine surgical facility for further evaluation.”
Trainer Marr and Tohill followed the horse to Lexington. Wild On Ice’s defection has allowed Santa Anita Derby third Skinner into the 20-runner Kentucky Derby field.
