America's Joy, unraced filly who sold for $8.2 million as yearling in 2019, dies of training injuries

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - America’s Joy, an unraced 3-year-old filly who sold for $8.2 million as a yearling in 2019, died Sunday morning from injuries suffered while working out over Saratoga’s main track.

The filly suffered a sesamoid fracture of her left foreleg and an injury to her neck when she fell and died as a result of those injuries, trainer Todd Pletcher said. The injury occurred at the end of a workout from the gate that was to be her final move before she was scheduled to debut in a maiden race at Saratoga on Labor Day, Pletcher said. Exercise rider Humberto Zamora was not injured, according to Pletcher.

“It’s very unfortunate, she was a very talented filly, very sweet filly to be around,” Pletcher said. “We hadn’t had her that long, but she trained impressively and was looking forward to her debut on closing day. That was a tough one.”

America’s Joy was a daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of the mare Leslie’s Lady, making her a half-sister to champion Beholder, super sire Into Mischief and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn.

America’s Joy was purchased by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm for $8.2 million at the Keeneland yearling sale of 2019. She was the highest-priced yearling filly sold in the history of the September sale and the fourth highest-priced yearling overall.

Of his conversation with Pope, Pletcher said, “She loves her horses, very sad obviously. She took it better than I would have expected.”

America’s Joy was the seventh fatality related to morning training at Saratoga since the meet began in mid-July. There have been three racing-related fatalities.

:: DRF's Saratoga headquarters – Stakes schedule, previews, recaps, past performances, and more