Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson says he is at a loss to explain Thunder Snow’s behaviour during the Kentucky Derby.
The UAE Derby winner was the best hope the Dubai outfit had of a victory in the American Classic on Saturday but any thoughts of a victory went up in smoke during the first 100 yards of the race.
The three-year-old bucked violently coming out of the gate, leaving jockey Christophe Soumillon with no choice but to pull up Thunder Snow.
Following a veterinary examination after the Kentucky Derby, no signs of an injury were found, while Godolphin has not commented on a potential equipment problem, leaving Ferguson at a loss.
“The horse is fine and it was just one of these things – they’re not machines,” Ferguson told the Racing Post.
“He trained so well out there and he’s a beautiful character at home. He jumped plunging out of the stalls and was pulled up after 50 yards ? you can imagine a two-year-old doing that having his first start but a horse who’s won Group races at Meydan in Dubai and won in France and England? Everyone will have a theory but we’ll probably never know what happened.”
