Cornucopian euthanized after suffering injury in Bing Crosby
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DEL MAR, Calif. - Cornucopian, the brilliant sprinter who won Grade 3 stakes at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs earlier this year, has been euthanized after sustaining an injury in Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar.
Tom Ryan of SF Racing, which co-owned the 4-year-old colt, said in a statement published on X.com that the ownership group and trainer Bob Baffert sought the advice of veterinarians before making the decision to euthanize Cornucopian.
“Heavy hearts today,” Ryan wrote on Sunday morning. “Yesterday, our brilliant colt Cornucopian sustained a catastrophic injury. We worked very closely with our veterinary team and, after hearing every expert opinion available, the kindest and clearest decision was to let him go with dignity.
“He was a brilliant colt with a huge heart and a partnership and fan base that loved him dearly.”
By Into Mischief, Cornucopian was purchased for $1.1 million as a yearling at Keeneland.
Cornucopian won 4 of 8 starts. He won his debut in spectacular fashion in a maiden race at six furlongs by 5 3/4 lengths at Oaklawn Park in February 2025, and was later fourth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
Earlier this year, Cornucopian won consecutive starts at Santa Anita – an allowance race by three lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 31 and the Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths on May 29.
After finishing fifth of 11 in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes at seven furlongs on May 1, Cornucopian won the Grade 3 Aristides Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs at Churchill Downs on May 30.
Cornucopian was the 6-5 favorite in the Bing Crosby Stakes, He was racing in fourth place in a field of eight when he sustained an injury and was quickly pulled up by jockey Juan Hernandez.
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