Cave Rock, a two-time Grade 1 winner before finishing second to eventual 2022 champion 2-year-old male Forte in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland, died Friday from the complications of severe laminitis following surgery in late July.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden illness and irreversible medical condition which led to the death of Cave Rock,” trainer Bob Baffert said in a statement Saturday via X, formerly Twitter. “He was a talent at the top of his class and adored by our entire team. Learning of his death yesterday afternoon from the caring team a SLR Equine Hospital was like a gut punch to everyone who cared for this special horse. We are left with great memories with which he graced us but we will miss him dearly.”
The son of Arrogate out of Georgie's Angel, by Bellamy Road, owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, had not started since the Breeders' Cup Nov. 4 at Keeneland and had no published workouts in the last 60 days.
According to a statement from Vince Baker, Baffert's longtime attending veterinarian: “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.”
Cave Rock, who was purchased by his owners for $550,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where Gainesway consigned him, was bred in Kentucky by Anne and Ronnie Sheffer Racing LLC. He won his first three career starts, including the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) Sept. 11 and American Pharoah (G1) October 8 at Santa Anita before finishing second as the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in what would be his final career start.
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