Cave Rock (Arrogate–Georgie's Angel, by Bellamy Road), a two-time Grade I winner at two and runner-up to eventual champion Forte (Violence) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, died Friday, Aug. 18 from complications from laminitis which developed after surgery late last month.
According to a statement from Dr. Vince Baker at the SLR Equine Hospital: “On July 28, 2023, after a routine morning of exercise, Cave Rock showed signs of colic while cooling out. He was treated with a tranquilizer and an anti-inflammatory. His vital signs did not improve, so he was sent immediately to SLR Equine Hospital. Upon his arrival, with in-depth diagnostics, it was determined that he had a congenital Inguinal hernia and the small intestine was lodged into the left side of the scrotum.
“Cave Rock was taken into surgery immediately. The surgical procedure required the resection of eighteen inches of small intestine. Recovery was routine and went very well, until signs of laminitis started on day six post-op. Despite very aggressive medical treatments, severe laminitis led to the demise of Cave Rock.”
Bred by Anne and Ronnie Sheffer Racing LLC, Cave Rock was a $210,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase and was successfully pinhooked by Fish Stables when selling to Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman for $550,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale. Accorded 'TDN Rising Star' status following a six-length debut success at Del Mar last Aug. 13, the dark bay promptly added a 5 1/4-length victory in the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity Sept. 11 and took the GI American Pharoah S. by a similar margin Oct. 8. Sent off at just under 1-2 for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland, Cave Rock set a sensible early pace, but yielded late and was 1 1/2 lengths adrift of eventual champion Forte (Violence) at the wire.
Expected to be among the favorites on the road to the 2023 Triple Crown, Cave Rock returned to the Santa Anita worktab in early February and recorded six breezes, capped by a near bullet six furlongs in 1:12.60 Apr. 2, his last official work.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden illness and irreversible medical condition which led to the death of Cave Rock,” Baffert tweeted. “He was a talent at the top of his class and adored by our entire team. Learning of his death [Friday afternoon] from the caring team at SLR Equine Hospital was like a gut punch to everyone who cared for this special horse. We are left with the great memories with which he graced us but we will miss him dearly.”
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