A barn fire early Sunday afternoon in Lexington, Ky., left three Wesley Ward horses dead, including Strike the Tiger – his first Royal Ascot winner – according to a report in Horse Racing Nation.
Electrical storms blanketed the region Sunday morning and early afternoon and reportedly was the source of the fire. Ward told Horse Racing National he was informed by fire department officials lightning struck a service pole that led into the barn at around 12:50 p.m. ET. Ward was at home at the time, the report said.
In addition to Strike the Tiger, the 5-year-old Uncle Mo ridgling Modesto also perished in the fire, the report stated. A $240,000 yearling purchase, Modesto had raced just twice for owner Ramon Tallaj, finishing second in a 2020 Saratoga maiden race, then winning at Keeneland last April 21.
Ward said Strike the Tiger is the pony who accompanies his Royal Ascot contingent to England each year.
A third horse who died, according to Horse Racing Nation, was an unraced 2-year-old sired by Ward-trained Hootenanny.
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