US trainer in apparent suicide after star horse dies

A trainer was found dead in a river on Sunday in an apparent suicide just hours after her promising two-year-old sustained fatal injuries during a race at Emerald Downs in the US state of Washington.

Monique Snowden, 37, was discovered under a bridge across Green River near Enumclaw, with her husband Dennis later confirming the body was that of his wife of eight years.

Earlier in the day, Snowden's promising juvenile The Chilli Man, who won his maiden by over 11 lengths, broke down in a $50,000 contest, which was due to be his last before he was transferred to new owner Dean Reeves and Breeders' Cup-winning trainer Kathy Ritvo.