Shared Belief Dies After Colic Surgery

Claire Novak contributed to this story.

Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013, died Dec. 3 after a colic episode. The Candy Ride   gelding, who had resumed training after suffering a non-displaced fracture to his right hip while racing in the April 18 Charles Town Classic Stakes (gr. II), was in trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's barn at Golden Gate Fields in California.

According to co-owner Alex Solis II, Shared Belief trained well the morning of Dec. 3, but after being returned to his stall, broke out in a sweat and was unresponsive to initial medical treatment.

He was quickly transferred to the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where tests were run, and he was diagnosed as having a possible rupture. Surgery was attempted, but doctors could not save him.

"This is really a tough one," said Solis. "Very tough to take. He was so good, he never seemed real. He wasn't a big horse but he turned out to be bigger than life, the kind of special horse you dream about."

Bred in Kentucky by Pam and Marty Wygod out of the Storm Cat mare Common Hope, Shared Belief won 10 of 12 starts and $2,932,200. His victories included this year's Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), the 2014 TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), and the 2013 CashCall Futurity (gr. I), along with two other grade I events. In a much-anticipated showdown, Shared Belief soundly defeated California Chrome   in this year's San Antonio Invitational Stakes (gr. II).

Solis and his partner Jason Litt purchased Shared Belief privately from the Wygods, bringing in partners Kevin Nish, George Todaro, Hollendorfer, and sports broadcasting personality Jim Rome to the ownership group.

Said Rome through his Jungle Racing Facebook page, "Today we have suffered a devastating loss. He was a champion, a fighter, and an unbelievable talent who impacted and changed all our lives. He loved to compete and run, and as heartbreaking as today is, we consider ourselves so fortunate to have been a part of this amazing animal's life."

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who rode the gelding in eight of his 12 starts, called Shared Belief "one of the greatest and most special horses that I have ever ridden."

In a statement on his Facebook page, Smith said, "Every day I woke up looking forward to being reunited with him. I am so thankful that I got to be part of his life. My thoughts and prayers go out to the connections as I know they are hurting too. RIP Champ."

"All of us at Golden Gate Fields are devastated to have learned about the passing of Shared Belief," Golden Gate vice president and general manager Calvin Rainey said in a statement. "It was a privilege being able to watch him train and compete here. We offer our condolences to Jerry Hollendorfer, his staff, and all of his owners."