1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba, who was known on the track as "America's Horse," has died at 25
.
The stallion fell in his stall, injuring his right hind femur, and was euthanized Friday night at a medical center in Lexington. The Kentucky Horse Park said he was buried Saturday at its Hall of Champions.
Alysheba also won the Breeders' Cup in 1988 and was honored as Horse of the Year.
Alysheba arrived at the horse park last year after eight years in Saudi Arabia. The horse first stood at stud in Versailles, Ky.
The horse was the son of Alydar and was trained by Jack Van Berg. He was the 3-year-old male champion in 1987 and won six major stakes races in 1988. Until Cigar, Alysheba was the money-earning leader with more than $6.6 million.
Kathy Hopkins, director of equine operations at the horse park, said Alysheba fell due to a chronic degenerative spinal condition.
"Complicated by his advanced age, this trauma resulted in severe pain," Hopkins said. "The resulting pain and suffering, and the inability to stand unaided, led to a joint decision for euthanasia."
Alysheba's former jockey, Chris McCarron, said in October that he was thrilled the horse would live his final days at the horse park in the stall once occupied by another thoroughbred great, John Henry.
"He's the most talented horse I ever rode," said McCarron, who rode Alysheba for 17 consecutive starts. "He and John Henry were substantially a part of the success I enjoyed as a jockey. They helped put Chris McCarron's name on the map because they both had such tremendous following around the country."
Alysheba is the second champion horse to be euthanized in the past two weeks. Lil E. Tee, who upset heavily favored Arazi to win the 1992 Kentucky Derby, was put down at Old Frankfort Stud in Lexington on March 18 at age 20. The chestnut colt had become ill following an operation to repair an obstructed bowel.
(AP)