10 Clement-trained horses die in horse van fire

Ten horses trained by Christophe Clement died Sunday when the horse trailer they were traveling in caught fire on the New Jersey Turnpike.

The Sallee horse van was bringing the horses to Belmont Park from the Payson Park training center in Florida. News reports said the accident happened just past Exit 8 on the Turnpike, around East Windor, N.J.

Nicole Pieratt, owner of Sallee Horse Vans, in a statement, wrote “This morning at approximately 3:15 a.m. our truck and trailer traveling from Florida to New York caught fire. While our drivers attempted to rescue the horses, it was not possible. Both drivers have been taken to the hospital, one driver has been released, and the other is being treated for smoke inhalation.”

Reached by phone Sunday, Pieratt confirmed there were 10 horses on the van but said she couldn’t provide further information because the accident is under investigation.

Sunday morning, Clement declined comment as he wanted to contact all the owners of the perished horses.

In a tweet Sunday afternoon, Clement wrote, “This morning we learned from Sallee that a van carrying horses to our barn in NY caught on fire. We understand both drivers were admitted to hospital, and that all horses have passed. We are all devastated by the news and heartbroken – we are working to understand what happened.”

On a Twitter post, the ownership syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds identified two of the horses who died as belonging to them. They were Hot Mist, a 3-year-old daughter of Tonalist who won her debut May 16 at Tampa Bay Downs, and Under the Oaks, a 3-year-old daughter of American Pharoah who finished sixth in her debut, on turf, at Gulfstream Park on May 30. Under the Oaks is the first foal out of Sunland Park Oaks winner Maybellene and cost $375,000 as a yearling.