Champion Arrogate, who gave two of the most stunning performances ever witnessed in the modern era, sadly needed to be euthanized yesterday following complications from what was believed to begin with a neck injury.
The champion 3-year-old male of 2016 retired as horse racing’s highest money earner of all-time, was euthanized Tuesday morning at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington. The cause of death at this posting remains undetermined as post-mortem examinations are being conducted.
Arrogate was a 7-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song who was nearing the end of this year’s breeding season, his third. He stood at Juddmonte Farms in Lexington, one of the world’s most influential nurseries.
No one present for the 2016 Travers Stakes in Saratoga will ever forget how he went to the front and improved his position, winning by daylight, running the first sub-two minute 1-1/4 miles in the midsummer classic’s history.
But his victory in the Dubai World Cup the following year was and is still considered by many to be one of the greatest equine performances of all time.
Following a troubled start that would have eliminated most horses, he assumed an unaccustomed position at the rear before continuing what would be a jaw-dropping journey.
In the backstretch run, Mike Smith got him into his high-cruising rhythm and the horses started his move toward the leaders approaching the turn. He began his wide rally, picking off rivals one at a time, was in striking position at headstretch, took command and drew away in deep stretch.
Days following his exhibited discomfort, he collapsed in his stall and efforts to get his back on his feet were unsuccessful. At his death, Arrogate was seven years old.
