Pin Oak Stud's Geaux Rocket Ride, the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational winner severely injured during a seven-furlong breeze at Santa Anita on Oct. 28 while preparing for the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, was euthanized on Wednesday following post-surgical complications.
Jim and Dana Bernhard, who purchased the Versailles, Ky., farm from the estate of Josephine Abercrombie last November, issued the following statement through Pin Oak Stud's social media account late Wednesday afternoon:
“It is with very heavy hearts that we report that, at the recommendation of the medical team, Geaux Rocket Ride has finally reached peace. His mind and his spirit never quit, but his body never recovered from surgery. He had a very rare response post-op and he wasn't able to stand up again. He fought hard and our team of vets tried everything they could.
“We are grateful for Dr. Bramlage, Dr. Carpenter, Dr. Slovis, Dr. Klohnen and all of the other doctors and medical staff who helped Rocket. We are appreciative of all of the support that we've received from everyone. We made sure he knew how loved he was. Geaux Rocket Ride was the first member of our Pin Oak family and he will never be forgotten. We will miss you forever, Rocket.”
Geaux Rocket Ride, a 3-year-old colt by Candy Ride out of the Uncle Mo mare, Beyond Grace, was bred in Kentucky by Larry Best's OXO Equine and purchased by Jim Bernhard for $350,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale. Trained by Richard Mandella, Geaux Rocket Ride debuted with an impressive 5 3/4-length maiden win at Santa Anita Jan. 29, then finished second in the G2 San Felipe Stakes, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Practical Move.
Practical Move went on to win the G1 Santa Anita Derby, but Geaux Rocket Ride was forced to miss that race because of a fever and unable to garner enough qualifying points to contest the Kentucky Derby. Practical Move was entered in the Derby and scratched, also because of a fever. The latter colt returned in the fall but sustained what officials suspect was a cardiac-induced sudden death while training for the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Tuesday.
Geaux Rocket Ride returned with a victory June 4 in the Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita, then shipped to Monmouth Park in New Jersey for the Haskell on July 22. Sent off at 12-1 odds under Mike Smith, Geaux Rocket Ride sat just off the pace before taking command into the stretch and defeating G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mage by 1 3/4 lengths. Arabian Knight finished third. The latter is the morning line favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Arabian Knight turned the tables on Geaux Rocket Ride in his next start, the G1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sept. 2, going wire to wire to win by a neck. Geaux Rocket Ride was gaining on Arabian Knight in deep stretch but his late bid was denied.
Geaux Rocket Ride had his training interrupted briefly with a fever in October, then had what was to be his final Breeders' Cup Classic workout delayed by a day when Mandella said he was exhibiting “tender feet” after being reshod.
Geaux Rocket Ride suffered the injury to his right foreleg at the top of the stretch of his Oct. 28 workout with Smith aboard and quickly pulling the horse up. Officials described it as a condylar fracture that broke through the skin, with surrounding ligament damage in the lower leg. Dr. Ryan Carpenter performed arthrodesis surgery on the damaged leg on Oct. 29, but the following morning Pin Oak Stud posted a cautionary update.
“Rocket is having an unexpected response to the surgery and isn't recovering as we hoped,” the farm statement read. “He appears to be in no pain and is eating. Our boy is still fighting hard so we will keep fighting for him. Under Dr. (Ryan) Carpenter's recommendation, he is moving to another facility better equipped to handle his post-op recovery.”
Breeders' Cup released the following statement: “The immense effort that went into Geaux Rocket Ride's medical care following Saturday's injury is a testament to his team's deep commitment to his wellbeing. Our thoughts are with Pin Oak Stud LLC, Richard Mandella, and everyone affected by his loss.”
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