Forego, a three-time Horse of the Year, was euthanized after breaking a bone in his right hind leg while in his paddock at the Kentucky Horse Park. He was 27.
“I did not want the horse to suffer,” said Forego’s owner and breeder, Martha Gerry, who gave her consent to euthanize him.
Sired by Argentine champion Forli, Forego earned more than $1.9 million with 34 victories in 57 starts in six years. He was fourth in the Kentucky Derby won by Secretariat in 1973. Secretariat was retired to stud after his 3-year-old season but Forego went on to greatness, being named Horse of the Year in 1974, 1975 and 1976, as well as best older horse in 1977.
Forego carried 130 pounds or more in 13 of his 15 starts in 1976-77, routinely spotting rivals 20 pounds and more. He won eight of those 13 races.
Forego was voted one of the top 10 racehorses of the century and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
