Wild On Ice euthanized after suffering injury during training for Kentucky Derby

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Wild On Ice, the reigning Sunland Derby winner, was euthanized Thursday after suffering a hind leg injury at Churchill Downs while training for the Kentucky Derby next weekend, owner Frank Sumpter said. 

The Texas-bred gelding suffered the injury just before 6 a.m. after racing five furlongs in 1:01.40, the track said in a news release. 

Kentucky Derby horse Wild On Ice trains with jockey Ken Tohill aboard during a morning workout, April 27, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matt Stone / USA Today Network)

Wild On Ice was evaluated on-site before being transported to a surgical facility for further examination, but Sumpter told the Associated Press that euthanasia was the best option because "so much could go wrong" with the type of injury that was sustained.

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"I didn't want him to suffer," he said. "When you've got an injury in a joint like that, and it’s in their back legs, it's tough because they have to use so much to stand up in their back legs. So, yeah, it’s a tough, tough deal to make these hard decisions."

Sumpter continued, "It’s such a sad deal because he was training so well going up the ladder and was getting stronger all the time."

Kentucky Derby horse Wild On Ice trains with jockey Ken Tohill aboard during a morning workout, April 27, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matt Stone / USA Today Network)

Wild On Ice was tied for 15th in the Derby standings after winning the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby as a 35-1 long shot in New Mexico on March 26.

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