By T. D. Thornton
An overnight trailer crash on the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, Kentucky hospitalized the driver and killed three horses from the barn of trainer Eddie Kenneally who were being transported from Oaklawn Park to Keeneland. According to a Facebook post from the Bardstown Fire Department, the accident occured shortly before 5 a.m. Monday.
“When units arrived on scene they found a tractor trailer on an embankment,” the post read. “The trailer, carrying Thoroughbreds, became dislodged from the king pin and ripped the cab of the truck from the frame. Crews extricated the driver from the vehicle in about 30 minutes. The driver was flown to University of Louisville Hospital. Anderson County large animal rescue was dispatched to assist with the removal of the Thoroughbreds from the trailer. Removal of the Thoroughbreds took approximately four hours.”
TDN could not confirm the names of all of the Thoroughbreds who were aboard the van in time for deadline for this story.
Reached via phone at 5:30 p.m. Eastern, Kenneally expressed gratitude for everyone who has offered condolences and help so far.
“We're just saddened for the loss of the horses, and saddened for the clients and how they are feeling right now. It's just a horrible accident. A lot of tough calls to make today.”
Kenneally said he does not yet have a clear understanding of what caused the accident.
“We don't know. We really have gotten very little information. It would be just guessing. Evidently, the tractor-trailer got out of control and went across the median. Thankfully, we didn't have any grooms on there. We don't know the condition of the driver, and we're hoping that he'll be fine. It's just a tough time.”
One of the horses known to be on the van who is alive but injured was the 3-year-old Vitement (Mizzen Mast), a 2-for-5 colt who most recently finished third in the Feb. 10 Ozark S. at Oaklawn. Matthew Wiley, a part-owner, confirmed this news in a social media post on X/Twitter.
“It's been a horrible day. We don't know if Vitement will survive. He is in terrible condition…” Wiley wrote. “I feel so badly for Eddie Kenneally and the family at the barn, Richie and all my partners. These were all Eddie's [trainees]. It's as bad as it gets. V is like a family member.”
One of the horses who perished was the 3-year-old Darkroom (Enticed), a 2-for-4 gelding who won a Fair Grounds allowance race Mar. 15. The confirmation was posted on the X/Twitter social media account for part-owner Double O Racing.
“So unfortunately sad to of lost this talented guy today in a horrific accident. Prayers and thoughts going out to all the other horses, owners, staff, driver etc.,” the Double O posting stated.
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