A billionaire racehorse owner has been left “heartbroken” and “devastated” following the death of one of his champions. Entrepreneur Mike Repole, who sold his drinks manufacturing businesses to Coca Cola for nearly £8 billion, is one of the biggest owners in the US.
He has enjoyed multiple big race successes on the track with stars like Uncle Mo, Forte and Fierceness, each of whom were winners of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Uncle Mo was the leading candidate for the 2011 Kentucky Derby but his campaign was disrupted by illness.
He retired the following year to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, becoming leading first and second crop sire, commanding a fee of £100,000. His 56 Group winners include the Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. However Repole took to X on Thursday to break the news that his star had passed away at the age of 16.
“I am devastated and saddened to share with you that Uncle Mo was euthanized earlier today following a left foreleg injury,” he said. “He had surgery yesterday. Unfortunately, this morning the recovery process was too much for him to endure. “The Repole Stable family, Todd Pletcher family and the entire Coolmore family are heartbroken.
“Uncle Mo was so much more to me than a champion and iconic stallion - he was and always will be a part of my family. Uncle Mo is the patriarch of Repole Stable. “There will never be another horse that makes me feel or will impact my life the way that Uncle Mo has.
