3 minute read

He was only three but sadly Medina Spirit died on Monday morning.

When he was born his mother initially did not produce milk so his breeder Gail Rice had to get her other lactating mare to feed him until his mother started to produce milk.  Then she had to sell him as a yearling and he was the lowest bid but when he went into the sale ring again in July 2020 he had developed sufficiently to attract the attention of an agent who purchased him for Amr Zedan, hence his name "Medina" Spirit. 

He was sent to Bob Baffert for training and in ten starts went on to win 5 times, run second four times and place third another time.  But his win in the Kentucky Derby has been questioned as he swabbed positive for Betamethasone.  Baffert has gone to court to suggest that this was due to a cream being applied to a rash and nothing nefarious. 

Medina Spirit was last seen on the race track in the Breeders' Cup Classic where he ran a good second and was in training for a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Cup when he collapsed on the track after running a fast 1000m.

There will be an autopsy and full investigation but all that will not bring him back.  It is a tragic end to a horse who wanted to live and wanted to race.

Meantime at the weekend the Cigar Mile went to Americanrevolution with another Pletcher pupil Following Sea running second at 7/2 and Plainsman third at 20/1.

At Los Alamitos Baffert saddled three of the six 2yo fillies to run in the Starlet and it went to Eda.  However favourite Grace Adler finished way to the back of the field being virtually pulled up.  Her jockey said that she was fractious in the paddock before the race but that is not a satisfactory explanation.  Is she carrying an injury?  Was she hurting somewhere to cause her to be upset before the race?  More info please!