“We Are Just Devastated”: Minutes After Saddening Incident at Preakness Stakes, Hall of Fame Trainer Reveals Concerning Details

Preakness Day came and went on May 20th along with more races outside the highly anticipated Grade 1 race. However, tragedy struck as Havnameltdown was euthanized in the Chick Lang Stakes (Gr.3), a few hours before the Preakness Stakes, after injuring rider Luis Saez and throwing him on the race course. As the whole Pimlico Race Course stood stunned, the horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert, broke his silence to address the equestrian community.

Trainer Bob Baffert instantly posted a statement on social media about the incident. He informed the public about the trainer’s condition and made assurances about the authorities’ response to the situation.

Havnameltdown won’t be coming back to his stable

On Saturday, the sixth race at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course was the Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes. Everyone was taken aback when Havnameltdown dumped jockey Luis Saez at the far end of the race. The damage to the horse’s left fore fetlock proved irreparable according to Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Dionne Benson. Saez was quickly transported to Sinai Hospital by the racetrack staff. The jockey was conscious and complained of leg discomfort, but was eventually discharged, as reported by his agent, Kiaran McLaughlin.

The field marshals and doctors who rushed to the site immediately made a quick decision to euthanize the horse on the track itself. The team had placed a screen all around the horse during its final moments so as to avoid the public from seeing it. Bob Baffert was worried about the rider, but more so disappointed about the horse’s unfortunate fate.

ALSO READ – “He Collapsed”: Five-Star Horse Shockingly Dies After Heart-Attack, Leaving Equestrian World Shattered

Baffert said In his Twitter post, about the incident, saying, “We are just devastated. This is a shock to everyone at our barn who love and care for these horses every day.” The trainer says Havnameltdown took a big smash out of the gate. He adds that the authorities are reviewing the information and will provide updates as they become available.

The career record of the late horse

With seven starts and four wins, Havnameltdown proved to be a formidable foe, earning $708,000 throughout the course of his racing career. In July of 2022, the three-year-old horse won his first race at Del Mar. He also competed in and placed second in the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (Grade 1). His first victory of 2023 came at the beginning of the year in the San Vicente Stakes (Grade 2).

Even in the Grade 3 King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Derby Presented By Boutique Group, he finished in second place. After suffering an inoperable injury in the Chick Lang S. Presented by Case Tractor (Gr. 3), this was the horse’s last major race before being put down. The equine stallion finished his career with a total of $708,000 in earnings, much to the delight of his trainer, Bob Baffert.

WATCH THIS STORY – Despite Potential Career-Ending Disasters, Equestrian-Horse Duo Set to Make a Grand Comeback