Tragic morning at Del Mar: Bobby Abu Dhabi dies, Espinoza injured

A picturesque morning at Del Mar took a tragic turn Sunday when the Grade 2 stakes winner Bobby Abu Dhabi broke down during a workout and unseated Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza at around 9:05 a.m. PT.

Brian Trump, racing manager for owner Rockingham Ranch, said the 4-year-old chestnut colt Bobby Abu Dhabi died due to "sudden cardiac arrest on the track."

TVG's Christina Blacker reported that "Espinoza hit the ground very hard and was on the track for quite some time" before paramedics loaded him into an ambulance. Per Espinoza's agent, Brian Beach, the jockey was conscious and moving his extremities but did have shoulder pain and numbness.

NEW: Espinoza's agent updates rider's condition

Espinoza was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital about seven miles North of the track. He will not ride Sunday at Del Mar. Additionally, all horses who die in training at California tracks are required to undergo an autopsy to confirm the cause.

A son of Macho Uno, Bobby Abu Dhabi was trained by Peter Miller and was working toward next weekend's Grade 1 Bing Crosby, a Del Mar sprint. Two starts back, he scored his best career result by winning the Grade 2 Kona Gold with Espinoza in the irons at Santa Anita Park.

El Huerfano, who was scratched from Saturday’s San Diego Handicap, was working in company when Bobby Abu Dhabi fell between the sixteenth pole and the wire. Espinoza, 46, lay motionless for several minutes before being fitted with a neck brace.

Larry Rivelli horse with a heart attack. Wow! Square guys like McGaughey must have a knack for finding horses with strong hearts.