Exam reveals no definitive cause of death for Kentucky Derby champ Medina Spirit

The California Horse Racing Board announced Friday that no definitive cause of death had been found for 2021 Kentucky Derby champion Medina Spirit. 

Medina Spirit died suddenly after a workout on Dec. 6 at three years old, prompting a necropsy to determine the cause of death. 

A team of experts conducted pathology, toxicology and equine drug testing on the colt. 

“The swollen lungs and foam in the trachea [windpipe], enlarged spleen, and congestion and mild hemorrhages in other tissues seen on the postmortem examination are common in horses dying suddenly, and are compatible with, but not specific for, a cardiac cause of death,” the board said. 

Medina Spirit was cremated following the examination, and the report was sent to more experts for independent review. The board said it will investigate any potential rule violations found during that review.

The horse’s death came after his trainer was barred from competing in the Kentucky Derby in 2022 and 2023 after Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone on race day, The Associated Press reported.

Although the medication is legal, it is not allowed for horses on race day, per the AP.