Multiple Grade 1-placed Ferocious dies after developing laminitis

Ferocious, an impressive maiden winner at Saratoga who placed at the Grade 1 level twice as a juvenile, has died after developing laminitis.

Ramiro Restrepo, of Ferocious's co-owner Marquee Bloodstock, announced his death Monday via a post on X. Ferocious had been taken off the Kentucky Derby trail after suffering a muscle tear in the Holy Bull (G3). He developed cellulitis two weeks after the muscle tear, according to a report from Joe Perez of BloodHorse. Laminitis subsequently took root, from which he was unable to recover.

Ferocious was a 3-year-old son of Flatter out of the Midnight Lute mare Napier, a half-sister to the dam of Grade 1 winner Obligatory. The dark bay colt had a 5: 1-2-0 record and $299,750 in earnings. That included second-place finishes in both the Hopeful (G1) and the Breeders' Futurity (G1). His only start at age 3 resulted in a fourth-place finish behind Burnham Square in the Holy Bull.

Ferocious was trained by Gustavo Delgado, who also trained 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Ferocious was owned in partnership by Marquee Bloodstock, JR Ranch, High Step Racing and OGMA Investments. They acquired him for $1.3 million at the OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training.