An autopsy determined the $900,000 Storm Catyearling, purchased as a yearling by Florida-based consignors Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo, died of an aneurysm suffered during a Feb. 25 breeze show for the March 6 Fasig-Tipton Calder sale of 2-year-olds in training .
The colt, out of Gone to the Moon, by Gone West, and from the family of Horse of the Year Dayjur, had just completed an eighth of a mile work when he abruptly collapsed on the track.
A post mortem conducted at the University of Florida in Gainesville, revealed the cause of death to be an aneurysm, leading to a rupture of the mesenteric artery, which supplies blood to the intestinal tract.
“This was one of the hardest days of my life,” said Dean De Renzo. “The colt had all the right moves, and we had no indication anything was wrong. While his loss is a big one, Randy and I are very thankful no one else was hurt, especially his rider.”
