A RACEHORSE IN America collapsed and died as he was being cooled down after winning a $150,000 race in Nashville yesterday.
Arcadius, an eight-year-old gelding, collapsed at a station placed just beyond the finish line of the three-mile Iroquois Steeplechase at Percy Warner Park.
Dr Marty McInturff, one of five official veterinarians on the course, said Arcadius succumbed from “a heart attack” and a possible aneurysm. The results of a necropsy examination are expected on Monday at the earliest.
Arcadius was making his second start this season and the 21st of his career dating to 2008. During that time, he won six races, including the $100,000 Helen Haskell Simpson at Monmouth Park in 2010.
The $90,000 winner’s share of the Iroquois purse raised Arcadius’ career earnings past $300,000.
“The horse ran a valiant race,” trainer Jonathan Sheppard said. “And, it’s not like he was struggling during the race. The rider wasn’t aggressive with his whip.
After he crossed the finish line, I was talking to the riders of other horses that I had in the race. I looked over and saw that he was down.
Sheppard said weather and race conditions had nothing to do with the horse’s death.
“The temperature was 67 degrees on the thermometer in my car, and it was drizzling a little bit,” Sheppard said. “The course was firm but in excellent condition.”
“The horse ran a beautiful race,” McInturff said. “When he went down, we got to him very quickly and administered medications and an IV. But, his blood pressure dropped very rapidly and we couldn’t save him.”
