IN BRIEF : Champion Mare Hits Truck, Dies

Champion turf mare Triptych died after running into a truck while a night watchman was making midnight rounds at Claiborne Farm.

Triptych, in foal to Mr. Prospector, died Wednesday of a hemorrhage caused by multiple pelvic fractures, according to Claiborne manager John Sosby.

The 7-year-old mare was owned by Peter M. Brant and Robert Levy, who purchased her for $3.4 million at a March, 1988, auction. The daughter of Riverman out of Trillion had 41 starts, 14 victories and earnings of $2.6 million in a career that ended last November in a fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.

Ollie Flore drove into a field containing Triptych and 10 other mares and turned off the vehicle’s lights to prevent blinding the horses, according to Sosby. Some of the mares ran toward the truck and did not stop. One mare, Sum, struck the front of the truck and was treated for severe bruises. Triptych also struck the truck and was later found gravely injured.