Ben's Cat to have ashes buried at Laurel Park

Ben’s Cat, a four-time Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, will have his ashes buried at Laurel Park in a Nov. 11 ceremony.

The 11-year-old gelding was euthanized July 18 due to complications following colic surgery. He underwent the procedure about a week after retiring to Bayne and Chris Welker’s Spring Ridge Farm in Versailles, Ky. Ben’s Cat raced as a homebred for trainer King Leatherbury.

“King Leatherbury asked if we would bury Ben’s ashes at Laurel since that is where he spent most of his life,” said Georganne Hale, vice president of racing for the Maryland Jockey Club. “Ben’s ashes will be laid to rest next to the historic Laurel paddock, which will allow fans the opportunity to visit his plot.”

Plans for the celebration of Ben’s Cat’s life include a bobblehead giveaway of the gelding’s likeness.

The list of accomplishments by Ben’s Cat at Laurel Park includes three victories in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint Handicap and two wins in the Laurel Dash Stakes. Two of his six wins in the Mister Diz Stakes also came at Laurel Park, with the others coming at Pimlico Race Course.

Ben’s Cat also won the Jim McKay Stakes at Pimlico five times in six years and won two editions each of the Grade 3 Turf Monster Handicap and Grade 3 Parx Dash Handicap.

In total, Ben’s Cat won 32 of 63 starts over eight seasons of racing for earnings of $2,643,782.