Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Horse Racing

Ashes of Medina Spirit to be interred in Kentucky

Medina Spirit collapsed and died after a workout on Dec. 6 at Santa Anita in California

Associated Press
Published
close
Fox News Flash top headlines for February 25 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 25

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The ashes of disqualified 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit will be interred at a retirement farm for thoroughbred horses in Kentucky.

Old Friends said Friday the colt’s ashes will be interred in a memorial garden alongside 1999 Kentucky Derby winner Charismatic and 2002 Derby winner War Emblem.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The farm will host an open house on April 5 for fans to visit the gravesite.

Medina Spirit collapsed and died after a workout on Dec. 6 at Santa Anita in California. He was trained by Bob Baffert, who also trained War Emblem. A necropsy on Medina Spirit showed no definitive cause of death, according to the California Horse Racing Board, which released the results of the examination earlier this month. The colt was cremated.

Bob Baffert Medina Spirit

FILE - John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., in this Saturday, May 1, 2021, file photo.  (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

"Medina Spirit was loved deeply by us and everyone at the barn," Baffert and his wife Jill said in a statement. "We grieve his loss, but take comfort knowing he will be buried among some of racing’s all-time greats at Old Friends."

Earlier this week, Medina Spirit was stripped of his victory in last year’s Kentucky Derby by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The colt tested positive after the race in May for a steroid, betamethasone, that is legal in Kentucky but banned on race day. Baffert was subsequently banned for two years by Churchill Downs.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Mandaloun, the second-place finisher, was elevated to first place. An attorney for Baffert said an appeal is planned.

Amr Zedan, whose Zedan Racing owned the colt, said, "He brought us great joy during his time, and we will forever cherish his spectacular win in the Kentucky Derby. Medina Spirit truly had the heart of champion, and it is very comforting to know that he will be laid to rest with many of racing’s greats and the wonderful people at Old Friends Farm."