Multimillion-dollar earner Midnight Bourbon died suddenly on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs, reports the Daily Racing Form. The 4-year-old son of Tiznow suffered an “acute gastrointestinal situation,” according to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
Both the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are investigating.
Midnight Bourbon breezed five furlongs Sunday in 1:01.20, per Equibase, and suddenly took ill after the workout. The colt succumbed in his stall later that morning.
“It's a devastating situation to the whole barn and everyone who was involved with him,” Asmussen told DRF. “He's an irreplaceable horse, in more ways than one. It's beyond sad.”
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Midnight Bourbon was a $525,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September sale. Campaigned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, the bay colt earned multiple Grade 1 placings over the course of his career, including second-place finishes in the Preakness, Travers, and Pennsylvania Derby. Most recently Midnight Bourbon had been overseas, finishing third in the G1 Saudi Cup and fifth in the G1 Dubai World Cup.
Overall, Midnight Bourbon's record on the track is 2-6-5 from 16 starts, with earnings of $3,557,970.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
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