Dual graded-stakes winner Cornucopian was euthanized Sunday after sustaining a right-front fetlock injury during the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar. Trained by Bob Baffert and lead owned by SF Racing, the four-year-old colt earned $462,655 across eight career starts.
The four-year-old colt Cornucopian was euthanized following a catastrophic injury sustained during the July 25 running of the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. Racing in a stalking position early in the six-furlong contest, the 6-5 favorite began making a move toward the leaders before jockey Juan Hernandez began to pull him up around the quarter pole in the far turn of the main track as they were moving forward from fourth place in a field of eight.
Veterinary Decision Following Right-Front Fetlock Injury
California Horse Racing Board equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea reported that the horse suffered a right-front fetlock injury during the Saturday race. Track personnel fitted the colt with a brace before an equine ambulance removed him from the track and transported him back to his barn for further evaluation, but ultimately the injury proved too severe.
Tom Ryan of lead owner SF Racing announced the decision to euthanize the animal in a statement published on X in a 1:44 p.m. EDT post on Sunday, noting that the ownership group and trainer Bob Baffert worked very closely with their veterinary team after hearing every expert opinion available.
“Heavy hearts today. Yesterday, our brilliant colt Cornucopian sustained a catastrophic injury. We worked very closely with our veterinary team, and after hearing every expert opinion available, the kindest and clearest decision was to let him go with dignity. He was a brilliant colt with a huge heart and a partnership and fan base that loved him dearly. RIP.”
Tom Ryan, SF Racing
Racing Career Highlights and Yearling Purchase History
Bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and Whisper Hill Farm, Cornucopian was consigned by Gainesway and brought $1.1 million as a yearling at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Sired by Into Mischief, the sprinter raced for a broad partnership that included SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Front Row Club, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, and Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings.
Cornucopian caught plenty of eyes with a spectacular 5 3/4-length maiden win over six furlongs at Oaklawn Park in February 2025 before stretching out to 1 1/8 miles to finish fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in his second start. Returned to sprint competition at age four, he secured consecutive victories at Santa Anita, including an allowance race by three lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 31 and the San Carlos Stakes (G3) by 2 3/4 lengths on March 29.
Following a fifth-place finish of 11 horses in the seven-furlong Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on May 1, the colt rebounded to capture the Aristides Stakes (G3) by 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs at Churchill Downs on May 30 as the 3-5 favorite. Those credentials established him with a record of 4-1-0 from eight starts and $462,655 in earnings (alternatively cited in records as $462,155), making him the 6-5 favorite in Saturday’s Bing Crosby. The race served as a win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint scheduled for Oct. 31 at Keeneland. The Bing Crosby Stakes was ultimately won by 5-1 shot Listenupshance.
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