“We’ll keep him at the stall for a week or 10 days,” the trainer said. “This would be the best thing to do, get him back with his groom. I just couldn’t leave him up there to be euthanized and thrown in the bone yard.”
Oh, this is just too sad.
God speed, Lost In The Fog. God gave you speed. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Prayers and hugs go out to his groom, his owner, his trainer, and the rest of his loving family.
That’s so sad.
I am heart sick for the family of Lost In The Fog.
I am so sad. I had really hoped there would be a better outcome for the poor guy.
I think that bringing him back ‘home’ to be cared for in his final days is a very compassionate thing to do.
Genevieve
I am completely saddened to hear this news. LITF is one horse I’ve followed from the very beginning and had a chance to see him at the Dodd’s when he was on a little R&R after the Breeders Cup but the timing just wasn’t right. I was praying and jingling hard that their would be a happy ending to this story but alas that won’t be the case. Thank goodness LITF has compassionate connections and that they will bring him back to his home. He certainly deserves that.
God speed, LITF. You will never be forgotten. :sadsmile:
I was heartbroken when I heard … and the immediately thought of you, Glimmer, because I know how much you like this horse.
What class acts the trainer and owner are.
May Lost in the Fog enjoy much pampering in the time he has left.
Godspeed, once last time, for this grand Thoroughbred.
Greg Gilchrist and Harry Aleo are very brave, generous and kind. I hope LITF enjoys his last days at GGF.
This news is very hard to take. I am just heartbroken.
Yep, Beezer, the news really does break my heart. Just a year ago I was getting ready to go to Spa first and foremost to see him in the undercard of the Travers Day - the Kings Bishop. Now a year later its not just him retiring but likely gone for good in a few weeks.
The comments [from this Friday eve’s press conference] straight from the heart of Greg and Harry: Courier-Journal
Gilchrist said that as he drove the hour from UC-Davis back to the track Friday, he decided to bring Lost in the Fog home in what essentially is a hospice situation.
“We know the end is inevitable and we certainly don’t want the horse to go through more than he needs to,” he said. “But if he can have another week, 10 days, two weeks of quality life … bring him back to his old stall, get him cleaned up and pamper him and he can be with his own people. I just couldn’t really walk away from him up there and think about having him euthanized tomorrow or the next day and thrown to the bone yard. We’ll bring him back here and do all we can for him. We certainly won’t take it too far.”
[Dr. Don Smith] estimated it could be a week to a month before Lost in the Fog’s condition would dictate putting the colt down. Gilchrist said, at that time, the colt will be cremated with his ashes interred at his birthplace of Southern Chase Farm in Ocala, Fla.
Gilchrist said he has to leave town for a few days to attend a horse auction, but vowed, “When this horse is euthanized, I will be there. I’ve been through everything else with him. I won’t let him go by himself.”
Everyone associated with Foggy is such a class act. I cried when reading the quotes from Gilchrist. So incredibly sad.
aww shit. sorry, I had to say it. just breaking my heart.
why the super ones, why?
that is just heartbreaking. steph
Poor boy, struggling with the cancer growing inside! So young for something like this. You truly never know.
If anything good has come from his and Barbaro’s situations, it may be that more of the public has seen the human, humane, caring side of the owners, grooms, jocks, and trainers. All involved have been wonderful under very difficult situations.
As posted on The Barbaro Recovery:
Update 481: Russell Baze just called back so here is our interview (what a class act btw):
I worked him all but once or twice since he was a two year old. I rode him in every race he ran bar one. He was a real genuine horse to be around. He was the best horse I have ridden throughout his career. He did everything, against allcomers. His temperament, ability and enthusiasm were unmatched. He had natural speed. He was so quick out of the gate, but he did not need the lead. He had a lot of natural speed, you could sit back and relax, switch leads in the turn, and keep going (when most horse were stopping). He would ship everywhere to run. Just a very rare racehorse.
Greg (trainer) and Harry (owner) have done an exemplary job with this horse. Throughout the horse’s career he has always given his best, now looking back its amazing how well he ran in Churchill (his win this year), knowing what we know now about the horse. It’s all very sad, but he is shipping back to Golden Gate and I will be fortunate to get to see him one more time. He has really been important to me as you can imagine.
I asked Russell what his barn name is: The Fog
I asked about any idiosynchrosies: he’s agressive, and displays it, especially before races trying to bite the pony on the way to the gate
Update 480: I just spoke to Russell Baze, Lost in the Fog’s jockey (who also happened to ride seven winners today). I will post our interview tomorrow (once I have typed it up and run it by Russell). I thought I would highlight this comment from Bubbranch, timestamp: 11:28 pm:
I got to watch his work at Golden Gate Fields in 2005 prior to shipping to Belmont for Breeder’s Cup. The track was closed so he could work alone, and a ton of employees spread out along the rail to watch. By chance an acquaintance of mine saw me in the public box and said come on over here, we picked out a spot on the rail, and then Hary Aleo and his daughter came along and stood right next to us, right next to me. If I had burped I would have bumped elbows with him.
Will never forget how I could feel - physically, like a tingle transmitted - his excitement, pride, and affection for this horse, and I got a great taste of what it must be like to have a truly spectacular horse. Unforgettable. I hope that feeling never goes away for him, and that he’s comforted by that and everyone’s sincere support.
Signed very sadly,
Bubb in California
And finally, Lost in the Fog by Barbara Livingston, again.
Update 479: I am attending the NTRA conference, scheduled for 6:45 pm re: Lost in the Fog (thanks Ed Fountaine, New York Post for alerting me to the conference). A transcript will be available on monday. LITF’s trainer and vet are online for the teleconference.
Vet:
Unfortunately two more tumours in his abdomen, and another very large tumour along the roof of his back, about the size of a football (not that shape). This one cannot be removed surgically. His condition is terminal.
Trainer:
He is not in a lot of pain, he just gets uncomfortable at times. The end is inevitable, and do not want the horse to go through things he does not need to. Want to provide some final quality of life, pampered and cared for with his own people around him. He won’t take it too far. Mr. Aleo (owner), Harry is a tough old guy, but this is bringing him to his knees. LITF is a hell of a warrior.
I typed the above as I was listening, I missed some stuff.
Thanks Alex Fleming, who reported this in the comments, timestamp 10: 20 pm and alerted us to the situation:
Gilchrist was on TVG at 6pm EST and announced he will be brought back to GGF in his stall with his groom to keep him comfortable during his last week. He did not want to euthanize him up at Davis where he would be all alone. He will be cremated and be buried at Ocala Florida where he started his life.
I am sorry, I watched LITF in his debut, and on two different occasions. I am borderline obsessed with my favorite horse, and I am devastated.
My heart breaks for this wonderful young horse, and for all of those around him, sho cared for him so well, and always put him first.
How awful. I am glad he’ll be pampered in his final days.
What a horrible thing for Harry Aleo to take to his grave. To have owned this once in a lifetime horse, to turn down the incredible offers, and to stand by as he deteriorates. LITF was a champion of no comparison but I can only think about the human suffering that his loss will impact. I am so very sorry for all involved.
How very sad I just read from the beginning of the thread - he’s a very special horse.
I couldn’t disagree more. I can’t think of anything to be prouder of than wanting the horse more than wanting a ton of cash. And then seeing that he gets the best of everything until his final moments. To ensure that during every second of this animal’s short life, he didn’t want for anything. Believe it or not, its not all about the money and the people who won’t be getting anymore money. Thank God that life isn’t that shallow. If you can’t take pride in a life well lived, what can you take pride in? You don’t take your wallet with you when you go, so it doesn’t matter how much is in it.
So sad, it is always the good ones. I know his final days will be filled with love and he will let them know when it is time. God Bless all involved.
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