The gutsy Alysheba who won the 1987 Kentucky Derby and was Horse of the Year has been euthanized.
Last fall he was pensioned and King Abdullah sent the 24 year old to the Kentucky Horse Park from Saudi Arabia so he would be home where the public could see him. It was a gift to American racing fans. Alysheba fell in the stall and was not able to get up. A veterinarian was summoned and he was transported but had badly injured his right hind femur. It was not responding and combined to a chronic spinal condition that caused the fall the pain and inability to stand left only one humane choice for the champion.
Alyshea won the Derby and the Preakness and was nosed ut in the Breeders Cup Classic by Ferdinand. He was the richest horse in the world until Cigar and then last year Curlin broke his record. A memorial will be planned at the Park. Rest in peace champ.
His loss makes the second Derby winner lost in just over a week following the loss of Lil E Tee, the 1992 Kentucky Derby winner who was euthanized due to complications from an intestinal problem. Lil E Tee was the only Pennsylvania bred to win the Derby until Smarty Jones repeated in 2004.
Keywords: Alysheba, Horse of the Year Preakness, Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Horse Park, Lil E Tee, Triple Crown
