He had been retired from stud duty and lived out his days at the Kentucky Horse Park, but yesterday fell down in his stall:
Alysheba fell in his stall and was not able to get up. Dr. Nathan Slovis was immediately called to the Horse Park, and an equine ambulance transported Alysheba to Hagyard Equine across the road from the Hores Park. Dr. Slovis and his team treated Alysheba and evaluated his condition. By evening, it was clear that he had sustained an insurmountable injury.
“Due to a chronic degenerative spinal condition that led to ataxia and instability, Alysheba fell in his stall yesterday injuring his right hind femur,” said Kathy Hopkins, the Horse Park’s director of equine operations, on March 28. “Complicated by his advanced age, this trauma resulted in severe pain that did not respond to analgesic therapy. The resulting pain and suffering, and the inability to stand unaided, led to a joint decision for euthanasia. This very difficult decision was made by the veterinary staff of Hagyard Medical, the veterinary staff of His Majesty King Abdullah (of Saudi Arabia), and those who loved and cared for him at the Kentucky Horse Park.”
Alysheba stood for a time at King Abdullah’s farm in Saudi Arabia. He arrived at the Horse Park from Saudi Arabia last October.
“Alysheba had just become part of the Kentucky Horse Park family last fall, and we were looking forward to having him for many years to come,” said John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park. “Discussions with Dr. Slovis and King Abdullah’s team, however, led us to conclude that this was the right thing to do for Alysheba, and Hagyard’s staff performed admirably in such a difficult situation. I am grateful to His Majesty for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this special horse and share him again with his many fans, and I am happy that his last days were spent here on his native soil.”
Here is his memorable Kentucky Derby. He almost went down after clipping heels in the stretch but recovered to win the race:
He and Bet Twice had a rivalry of sorts, reminiscent of his sire Alydar's rivalry with Affirmed. Alysheba won the Preakness over Bet Twice but was easily beaten by Bet Twice in the Belmont.
Here is Alysheba's win in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Classic, which helped him clinch Horse of the Year honors:
Associated Press has a report. The champion racehorse was buried today at the Kentucky Horse Park.
More:
The talent became evident during Alysheba's stirring Derby win over Bet Twice. He stumbled in the stretch before catching himself to run down his rival in the final yards.
Only upon replay did McCarron realize how close his trip had come to disaster.
''Falling didn't even go through my mind,'' McCarron said. ''I kept thinking there's only one horse left in front of us that was going to prevent us from getting the roses. He just did an incredible job of righting himself. I was focused on keeping my balance and trying to stay on his back.''
Van Berg wasn't surprised. Alysheba had a sense of balance and athleticism rarely found on the track.
''He just had unbelievable ability,'' Van Berg said. ''He got a little gust of wind or whatever and got knocked down and he stepped up before Chris knew what hit him. He was remarkable.''
Chris McCarron saw Alysheba just two weeks ago and the horse looked fine to him.
The AP piece mentions the 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic won by the ill-fated Ferdinand, but Alysheba put up a fight in the stretch:
I believe Strike the Gold, the 1991 Kentucky Derby winner, is now the oldest surviving winner of the race. He is 21 years old.
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