Triple Crown-winning racehorse suffers tragic death after breaking down in front of stands
The career of one of Japan's most popular racehorses ended in tragedy in Hong Kong on Sunday. Liberty Island, a five-year-old mare trained by Mitsumasa Nakauchida, made history in 2023 when she won the equivalent of racing's Triple Crown, landing the Japanese 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and the Shuka Sho, which is known as the Triple Tiara.
She had been campaigned on the international stage subsequently, finishing third in the Dubai Sheema Classic and was second behind Romantic Warrior in last year's Hong Kong Cup, taking her career earnings to nearly £4million.
Liberty Island returned to Hong Kong on Sunday as one of the leading challengers for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Cup at a packed Sha Tin racecourse.
Yet just after beginning to launch her challenge she stumbled and broke down in the straight when she was quickly pulled up by jockey Yuga Kawada and dismounted.
A clearly distressed Kawada stood holding the mare tightly as vets and track staff arrived to erect a black screen around her for privacy from onlookers as they worked to save her close to the stands rail.
But their efforts were in vain as owners Sunday Racing confirmed: 'She had torn the medial and lateral sesamoid ligaments of her left front leg, and the fetlock joint was subluxated, so the fetlock joint was touching the ground. Unfortunately the veterinarian diagnosed her with a poor prognosis and she was euthanised.'
Among many to post tributes, John Stewart, owner of Goliath, who finished ninth in the race in which Tastiera beat Prognosis to produce a one-two for Japan, said: 'As we are about to leave HK, I am heartbroken over the loss of Liberty Island. I was in awe of her in the paddock. She was magnificent and it is so unfortunate for her owners. My heart goes out to Sunday Racing Co.'
Hong Kong stewards found jockey Brenton Avdulla guilty of careless riding for moving his mount Ensued out when not clear, leaving Liberty Island short of room. He was suspended for three days and fined £6,000.
Kawada was also questioned, telling officials that Liberty Island 'travelled only fairly during the race, however, he had no concern with its action prior to the 250m'. He added that 'in his opinion, whilst Liberty Island was crowded near the 300m this had no bearing on the horse going amiss near the 250m'.
In Japan, leading stud farm and owner Northern Farm announced there would be a floral tribute at the Horse Gallery in Northern Horse Park in memory of Liberty Island. A portion of the admission fee to the park will be donated to medical research for racehorses.
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