Two College of Veterinary Medicine faculty were part of a medical team that performed surgery last month on Kentucky Derby winning horse War Emblem, according to a University release.
Hui-Chu Lin, a professor of large animal anesthesia, and Glen Sellers, a clinical faculty member, were the anesthesia veterinarians participating in the surgery to geld the championship horse.
The 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner came to Old Friends, a thoroughbred retirement home in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 2015, when he was returned to the U.S. by Japanese owners who purchased the horse in 2003 to stud, the release states. He proved to be a reluctant breeder and was retired and returned to the U.S. to reside at Old Friends.
“When a stallion is imported to the United States, the USDA requires that they test breed two mares to be declared clear of CEM,” said Waldridge. “We tried everything and exhausted every option, but War Emblem refused to breed his mares, and so we were left with no choice but to geld him.”
The surgery was performed by Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus Brad Tanner and Colt Daughtery, who owns Rood Riddle Equine Hospital, while Lin and Sellers administered anesthesia, the release states. Waldridge oversaw the operation.
“Glen and I were honored to be trusted and be part of this surgical procedure,” Lin said. “It is not often that I am called upon to anesthetize a high profile horse like War Emblem, him being a race horse and 17-year-old made anesthesia more challenging.
“But everything went according to the plan throughout the procedure. I am glad he is now happy and enjoys being just a horse.”
War Emblem is fully recovered and settled into his retirement at Old Friends, according to the release.
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