Breeders’ Cup: Mongolian Groom Suffers Fatal Injury in Breeders’ Cup Classic

US Racing Team

Mongolian Groom – Photo by Benoit Photo

Despite new safety precautions implemented before the Breeders’ Cup, a fatal injury occurred at Santa Anita Park when Mongolian Groom suffered a broken left hind leg during the $6 million Classic and was euthanized Saturday night after being evaluated by a team of veterinarians.

Mongolian Groom was pulled up by jockey Abel Cedillo in the stretch of the 14th and final race on Breeders’ Cup weekend, the industry’s premier event that was nationally televised on NBC.

Vino Rosso won the Classic, with favorite McKinzie second.

Mongolian Groom was vanned off the track and taken to the track’s equine hospital. The Breeders’ Cup released a statement noting that the team of vets determined the injuries were too severe to treat Mongolian Groom, who entered the race off a victory in the Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita.

The fatality was the 37th at Santa Anita during training or racing since December.

“Given the extent of the injury, Dr. (Ryan) Carpenter, in consultation with Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, veterinary surgeon and professor emeritus at Colorado State University; Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director of the California Horse Racing Board; and attending veterinarian Dr. Vince Baker, recommended humane euthanasia of Mongolian Groom,’’ the Breeders’ Cup statement said. Carpenter is a board certified veterinary surgeon.

“The death of Mongolian Groom is a loss to the entire horse racing community. Our equine and human athletes’ safety is the Breeders’ Cup’s top priority,’’ the statement said. “We have worked closely with Santa Anita leading up to the World Championships to promote enhanced equine safety.”

2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic Results