Three racehorses were killed and four others were seriously injured after a terrifying trailer crash.
They were being shipped from Oaklawn Park racecourse in Arkansas to Keeneland in Kentucky, and were around 30 minutes from their destination when the truck transporting them left the highway.
According to local police, the truck careered across the Bluegrass Parkway to the opposite carriageway and hit the embankment of an overpass on Monday.
Officers from the Fire Department said in a statement the trailer “became dislodged from the king pin and ripped the cab of the truck from the frame”.
The driver had to be cut free before he was flown to hospital in Louisville with a severe foot laceration. His condition was stable with no life-threatening injuries.
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However three of the horses, with an estimated value of $450,000, were pronounced dead at the scene and the other four taken to an animal hospital with life-threatening injuries.
It was later confirmed all the horses were trained by Eddie Kenneally.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Kenneally said: "On behalf of my family and my team I want to extend my sincere gratitude for all of the texts, calls, thoughts and prayers. Yesterday was a nightmare that no owner, trainer or horse lover should ever have to endure
"So much hard work and thoughtfulness goes into taking care of these horses and the loss is tragic. Please keep pulling for the four horses that miraculously made it out and are fighting at the clinic. Thank you again for the support."
Owner Matthew Wiley identified one of the horses involved in the accident as Vitement, a three-year-old winner of two of his five starts.
He said: “Our horse Vitement was in this van. it's been a horrible day. we don't know if Vitement will survive. he is in terrible condition.
“Seven of his barn mates were on the van, and three so far have died. I feel so badly for Eddie Kenneally and the family at the barn, Richie and all my partners. these were all Eddie's.
"It's as bad as it gets. V is like a family member. i hate to have to even tweet about this, but I know the story will start to get out.”
Double O Racing confirmed that Darkroom, a winner at Fair Grounds this month, was among those that had perished.
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