Exercise rider dies in training accident at Churchill Downs
Odanis Acuna, a work-rider for prominent US trainer Kenny McPeek, died in a training accident on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs in Kentucky.
Acuna, a 42-year-old Cuban who had been working for McPeek for around a decade, incurred fatal head and neck injuries after an unraced two-year-old he was breezing broke down in both front legs, according to the trainer.
Quoted by Daily Racing Form, McPeek said: "Obviously everyone is extremely upset about this.
"Odanis was a fantastic person and one of the hardest-working people you'll ever meet. It's a real tragedy."
The two-year-old New York Harbor had to be put down and breezing at Churchill Downs was cancelled for the remainder of the morning.
Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com
Published on 10 November 2018inInternational
Last updated 16:22, 10 November 2018
Copy- OBS Spring Sale picks up steam as $1.9 million Tiz The Law filly leads the action
- Falbrav owner Luciano Salice dies at the age of 88
- Meet the Kazakh wonderhorse rising from obscurity and causing a sensation in his bid for Dubai World Cup glory
- Charlie Appleby 'still in a rebuilding process' after underwhelming 2023 - but is hopeful new generation can help him bounce back
- Dubai World Cup rides set to be pivotal in new partnership between Kieran Shoemark and Gosden stable
- OBS Spring Sale picks up steam as $1.9 million Tiz The Law filly leads the action
- Falbrav owner Luciano Salice dies at the age of 88
- Meet the Kazakh wonderhorse rising from obscurity and causing a sensation in his bid for Dubai World Cup glory
- Charlie Appleby 'still in a rebuilding process' after underwhelming 2023 - but is hopeful new generation can help him bounce back
- Dubai World Cup rides set to be pivotal in new partnership between Kieran Shoemark and Gosden stable