Midnight Bourbon, one of the top 3-year-olds of 2021, died suddenly Sunday morning in his stall at Churchill Downs after suffering from an apparent “acute gastrointestinal situation.”The news was confirmed by his trainer Steve Asmussen.Midnight Bourbon was owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds. The 4-year-old colt had been training at Churchill after finishing third in the Feb. 26 Saudi Cup and fifth in the March 26 Dubai World Cup.Asmussen said the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are investigating the death.Asmussen said the entire situation happened “very quickly.”Midnight Bourbon crossed the finish line sixth at last year’s Kentucky Derby, but because Medina Spirit was disqualified, Asmussen’s horse moved up to fifth. Last year, at 3, he was second in the Louisiana Derby, Preakness, Travers and the Pennsylvania Derby. In his first start at 4, he was second to Mandaloun in the Jan. 22 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds, prior to his two starts in the Middle East.Asmussen told Daily Racing Form that Midnight Bourbon worked twice at Churchill since returning. The horse died around 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. Sunday.According to DRF.com, Midnight Bourbon earned more than $3 million from 16 career starts.
Midnight Bourbon, one of the top 3-year-olds of 2021, died suddenly Sunday morning in his stall at Churchill Downs after suffering from an apparent “acute gastrointestinal situation.”
The news was confirmed by his trainer Steve Asmussen.
Midnight Bourbon was owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds. The 4-year-old colt had been training at Churchill after finishing third in the Feb. 26 Saudi Cup and fifth in the March 26 Dubai World Cup.
Asmussen said the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory are investigating the death.
Asmussen said the entire situation happened “very quickly.”
Midnight Bourbon crossed the finish line sixth at last year’s Kentucky Derby, but because Medina Spirit was disqualified, Asmussen’s horse moved up to fifth.
Last year, at 3, he was second in the Louisiana Derby, Preakness, Travers and the Pennsylvania Derby. In his first start at 4, he was second to Mandaloun in the Jan. 22 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds, prior to his two starts in the Middle East.
Asmussen told Daily Racing Form that Midnight Bourbon worked twice at Churchill since returning. The horse died around 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. Sunday.
According to DRF.com, Midnight Bourbon earned more than $3 million from 16 career starts.
