Stakes winner Irap euthanized after laminitis diagnosis

Trainer Doug O'Neill, via a statement from owners Paul and Zillah Reddam, announced Friday that Irap developed laminitis, and the decision was made to euthanize him in the weeks following surgery to repair fractured sesamoids in the colt's left-front leg.

The 3-year-old suffered his injury amid a 2nd-place finish in his final race, the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. The decision was made, per the Reddams, "Not wanting him to suffer.”

"We would like to thank Dr. Dean Richardson and his team at New Bolton for doing their best with Irap, as well as Dr. Ryan Carpenter for showing his compassion by jumping on a plane when he learned of Irap’s injury," the Reddams' statement says. "We also want to thank Doug O’Neill and his entire staff for the wonderful care they took of Irap throughout his racing career.

"Irap provided many thrills over the past year and he changed from maiden to graded stakes winner overnight. He developed into a top race horse who carried himself with tremendous dignity and a level of class that is rare. We count ourselves lucky to have been part of his life for an all too brief time.”

The son of Tiznow — also a winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Ohio Derby and Indiana Derby — was recovering New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania. As recently as Monday, O'Neill cited some progress, saying "Irap is having a good day today."

Laminitis is a painful inflammatory condition formed in horses' hooves.