Lemaire Fractures Collarbone, Rib In Dubai Spill; U.S. Entry Catnip Euthanized

Originally posted on Paulick Report | Last updated 3/30/24

International riding star Christophe Lemaire sustained a broken collarbone and fractured a rib after John and Susan Moore's Catnip went down with what proved to be a fatal injury about 100 meters from the finish of Saturday's Group 1 Dubai Turf on the Dubai World Cup program at Meydan racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

Catnip, a 5-year-old Kitten's Joy gelding bred by the Moores and trained by Michael Stidham, was battling for the lead inside the final 200 meters, but began to fade approaching the 100-meter mark. At that point, Catnip sustained an injury and fell, sending Lemaire to the turf. He was put on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital and the Dubai Racing Club reported that he sustained a broken collarbone and fractured rib.

It is not known how long Lemaire will be sidelined.

The broadcast team televising the Dubai World Cup reported that Catnip was euthanized.

Produced from the stakes-placed Silent Name mare, Masquerade, Catnip won four of nine career starts and one stakes, the G3 Monmouth Stakes in 2023. Second to Therapist at the Jersey Shore in the G1 United Nations Stakes last summer, Catnip was coming off a third-place finish – beaten three-quarters of a length – behind Warm Heart in his most recent start, the G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park.

Lemaire was replaced on his two remaining mounts on the program, with Frankie Dettori taking over on Stars on Earth in the G1 Sheema Classic (finishing eighth) and Oisin Murphy named to ride G1 Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake in the G1 Dubai World Cup (finishing sixth).

Lemaire, 44, is a native of France who began his riding career in Europe in 1999 but in recent years has spent much of his time in Japan, where he's handled such stars as Heart's Cry, Almond Eye, and Equinox. He's won multiple riding titles and JRA Awards in Japan

This article first appeared on Paulick Report and was syndicated with permission.

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