Midnight Bourbon Dies From Gastrointestinal Distress

Winchell Thoroughbreds' multi-millionaire Midnight Bourbon  died suddenly at Churchill Downs April 17 from "acute gastrointestinal" distress, said Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

The 4-year-old racehorse's passing occurred Sunday morning following a five-furlong workout at Churchill in 1:01 1/5 that took place about three hours earlier, his trainer indicated. "He got a little uncomfortable and then he deteriorated very rapidly," said Asmussen.

David Fiske, racing manager for Winchell Thoroughbreds, called the colt's death a "gut punch," noting that he had been at Churchill Downs Sunday morning to observe Midnight Bourbon and other horses before traveling back to his residence in Central Kentucky.

"He was the last horse I saw before I left the barn Sunday morning. By the time I was home, he was dead," he said of the suddenness of the episode.

Asmussen is hopeful the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will be able to provide answers in examining the colt's cause of death. "Not that it changes anything. It just feels important to know," he said.

Daily Racing Form first reported the death of Midnight Bourbon, a son of Tiznow  who became a fan favorite on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby. He was sixth in last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and second in the Preakness Stakes (G1).

"He deserved (fans') adoration," Asmussen said. "I definitely feel the same. I understand why people loved him."

Winner of the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots last year, Midnight Bourbon turned in some of his most memorable races in defeat, finishing second in the 2021 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) and third in the Saudi Cup (G1) this winter in the Middle East. His last start was a fifth-place finish in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan Racecourse March 26.

Following the Dubai World Cup, he recorded two works at Churchill Downs, the first of which was a half-mile breeze in :49 4/5 April 10.

He earned $3,557,970 in compiling a 2-6-5 record in 16 starts after being acquired for $525,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Warrendale Sales consignment. The grand-looking colt was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings out of the Malibu Moon mare Catch the Moon .

"He was probably the richest horse still eligible for a nonwinners-of-two other-than, maybe ever," Fiske said, referring to second-level allowance eligibility. "He had a big personality, whether it was almost falling down in the Haskell (G1) or getting loose in the muck pits before the Derby last year."

Fiske recalled how Asmussen walked Midnight Bourbon "for 23 laps" in the Churchill Downs paddock on a rainy day last spring to have the colt well schooled for the Derby.

"It's just horrible for the whole barn. He meant so much to so many people," Asmussen said.