Japan's star thoroughbred Danon Bourbon is set to undergo surgery for a knee injury sustained during his commendable fifth-place finish in the 152nd Kentucky Derby. The Manabu Ikezoe-trained colt led the field of 18 into the Churchill Downs stretch on May 2 and was only overtaken in the final 110 yards as Cherie DeVaux's Golden Tempo surged to victory.
Injury Discovery
Following the Grade One race over 1 mile and 2 furlongs, the first leg of the US Triple Crown, veterinarians discovered that Danon Bourbon had fractured his knee. The horse, owned by Danox Co Ltd and undefeated in three starts in Japan prior to his American campaign, has since returned to his homeland.
Surgery Details
According to an update on Netkeiba, vets will operate on the injury at the Shadai Clinic in Hokkaido. Trainer Ikezoe stated: "The fracture in his knee was discovered after the Kentucky Derby. After returning to Japan, he underwent further X-rays and completed quarantine at the Japan Racing School. He will now undergo surgery to remove bone fragments at the Shadai Clinic in preparation for his return." No timeline has been set for his recovery, as it depends on the surgery's success and subsequent rehabilitation. Ikezoe added that the horse will likely rest for the remainder of the year.
Previous Form
Before the Kentucky Derby, Danon Bourbon had won all three of his starts by a combined margin of 18.5 lengths. He entered the "Run for the Roses" following a decisive victory in the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama. His performance in America was particularly notable as it came two years after Japan's Forever Young, one of the sport's highest-earning horses, was narrowly beaten in a three-way photo finish in the same race.
