Filly loses battle for life

Exogenous had been down in her stall after treatment

Exogenous has been put down after a freak accident in the Distaff race at the Breeders' Cup meeting in New York on 27 October.

Owner Scotty Schulhofer took the decision after her condition had progressively deteriorated.

The filly had initially responded well to treatment after last week's race.

Exogenous had injured herself when she reared up leaving the tunnel which connects the paddock to the track at Belmont Park.

Most likely, the brain began to swell again and it was necessary to put her down

Scotty Schulhofer

The second favourite unseated jockey Javier Castellano, before banging her head heavily on the ground and getting one of her hind-legs tangled in the gate.

Her leg was freed but the filly was unable to get to her feet and was treated on the spot with steroids and a sedative.

She was then taken to a horse ambulance and driven back to her trainer's barn, where the course vet diagnosed neurological trauma.

Exogenous' condition looked to be improving when she got to her feet afterthe effects of the sedative had worn off.

But she never fully recovered from her injuries.

Beautifiul filly

"She just got disoriented," Schulhofer told the Bloodhorse.

"When I left New York on Monday, she was bright and eating, and seemed to be feeling good.

"She was beating herself up pretty bad and had lost all co-ordination.

"Most likely, the brain began to swell again and it was necessary to put her down.

"It's a terrible shame. She was such a beautiful filly."

Exogenous won five of her 12 starts, including the Grade One Beldame Stakes at Belmont on her final outing.