$1 million colt Nobel dies from racing injury at Saratoga

A million-dollar colt became the 11th horse to die during the ongoing Saratoga meet on Saturday after suffering a catastrophic injury after the fifth race.

Nobel, a 4-year-old Ireland-bred son of Lope de Vega trained by Brandon Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, finished fifth as the 9-5 favorite in the $62,500 optional-claiming race run at 1 3/16 miles on the turf before suffering the injury to his left front leg on the gallop out, New York Racing Association spokesperson Keith McCalmont said in a post on Twitter.

He said the horse was humanely euthanized on track, citing NYRA's senior examining veterinarian.

Gaffalione visited first aid and was cleared to ride his remaining mounts, McCalmont said.

Nobel was making his first U.S. start in the race after winning 3 of 6 starts in Great Britain.

The colt was purchased by owner Qatar Racing for nearly $1.2 million at the 2020 Tatersalls October yearling sale. Nobel was put up for auction again the following year at the Tatersalls July sale but remained with Qatar Racing after his reserve was not attained.

Nobel's death was the 11th of the current Saratoga meet, which opened July 13 and runs through Labor Day. Seven of the deaths have occurred during races and four during training.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority said this week it has been investigating the deaths since Aug. 5, the day Maple Leaf Mel broke down nearing the wire in the Test Stakes (G1).

The statement did not mention whether the investigation in cooperation with NYRA and the New York Gaming Commission had uncovered any commonalities in the fatalities so far.

“HISA closely reviews every equine fatality that takes place under its jurisdiction,” the statement said. “On Aug. 5, HISA began conducting an expanded review of the circumstances surrounding recent equine fatalities at Saratoga Race Course. HISA officials are reviewing necropsy results, veterinary records, racing and training histories, surface maintenance logs and weather records gathered by local veterinarians and other officials.”