Davis, CA
Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old of 2013 and Eclipse Award winner died Wednesday after developing colic.
The gelding was in training at Golden Gate Fields to return to the races after suffering a non-displaced hip fracture in April at Charles Town.
Co-owner Alex Solis II and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer reported the champion trained well Wednesday morning, but returning to his stall he broke out in a sweat and was unresponsive to initial treatment.
The 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic favorite was rushed to the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine where surgery was attempted, but was unsuccessful.
Equine colic can be defined as severe abdominal pain and is one of the leading killers among domesticated horses.
Shared Belief won 10 of 12 starts and finished with more than $2.9M in career earnings.
Majority owner and radio personality Jim Rome said he was devastated to announce the passing of the champion and that he was heartbroken with the loss.