Injured Giant Ryan euthanized after onset of laminitis
Shivananda Parbhoo, owner of Grade 1 winner and reigning New York-bred Horse of the Year Giant Ryan, confirmed late Thursday afternoon that the 6-year-old son of Freud was euthanized at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center due to the onset of laminitis. Giant Ryan broke both sesamoid bones in his left front fetlock during the running of Saturday’s True North Handicap at Belmont Park.
“The highs in this game are high, and the lows are low. This is the absolute bottom,” the Calder-based owner said.
Giant Ryan was sent to New Bolton Center on Sunday and was expected to undergo a surgical fusion of the fetlock joint. That procedure was initially delayed as the injury to the horse had limited blood flow from the ankle down. According to Parbhoo, blood flow returned to the damaged limb as of Wednesday, and surgery was scheduled for Friday.
“Over the last few days he was eating and drinking just fine, and he seemed to be doing everything right,” Parbhoo said. “But earlier today we could see that things were getting a little shaky. He couldn’t put any weight on the injured leg, so he was relying on his other legs to carry his body, and that is what brought on the laminitis. And once the signs of laminitis are present, the only option is to do the right thing for the horse, so he doesn’t have to suffer. This horse gave us so much, we had to do what was right for him.
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“My family and I are thankful to everyone that offered us their prayers and kind words. This is the first horse we’ve had break down, and it’s just such a sad feeling, it isn’t likely to go away.”
