Cloud Man euthanized after sustaining multiple injuries during the Hollywood Derby
Born in 2008, John Shirreffs trained Cloud Man was pointed to run in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby, but unfortunately the colt broke down during the race because of the severe injuries he incurred during the run and had to be euthanized because there was no
other way to save him.
“He had multiple fractures of his pastern, and there was no way to put it back together without pain and, eventually, founder,” Shirreffs said. “The most humane thing to do when they in that condition is to do it quickly, while they are in shock. If you
do it then, they are not really suffering.”
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss owned son of Thunder Gulch, out of mare Kaydara by Kris S, Cloud Man in his racing career ran eight times, but never really achieved the heights a trainer hopes from his runner, but has done enough in a short period to be remembered.
He debuted at Santa Anita Park running six and a half furlongs in his maiden special race as he clinched it in his first attempt on turf.
Cloud Man had a steady career while he was in allowance race company by finishing on the money in his first three races and finally landing one at Del Mar over at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Another allowance claimer race, but rather than finishing second or third Cloud Man bagged it by defeating Great Warrior and Cat Talk, who finished second and third respectively while Cloud Man covered the distance in 1 minute and 41.60 seconds on 22 July,
2011.
After stringing three or four good results, Cloud Man stepped up in class and company as he made his graded stakes race debut in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby over at 1 1/8 miles on 4 September, 2011.
He finished fourth to winner Banned followed by Midnight Interlude in second and Extensive in third.
Then off to Santa Anita to participate in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Derby where he dropped down to 5th, and finished a dismal race.
These two starts prior to the Hollywood Derby were promising enough to keep the hope alive but unfortunately the colt had to be laid to rest.
“That’s the highs and lows of the game, unfortunately,” Shirreffs said. “They’re fragile, like ballerinas, and one bad step can be unforgiving.”
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