Alysheba, at one time the world’s richest Thoroughbred, was euthanized last weekend at Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington. The 25-year-old stallion had injured himself in a fall caused by a degenerative spinal condition.

“Complicated by his advanced age, the trauma resulted in severe pain,” said Kathy Hopkins, director of equine operations at the park. “The pain and suffering, and his inability to stand unaided, led to a joint decision for euthanasia.

The former Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year returned to the US last fall, as a gift from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, after serving mares at the royal stables for the past eight years.

Alysheba raced under the silks of Dorothy and Pam Schaurbauer, Midland, Texas, who purchased him in 1985, as a yearling.

The famous Alydar son was the second Kentucky Derby winner to be euthanized in the past two weeks. Lil E. Tee, longshot winner of the 1992 Derby, was put down at Old Frankfort Stud in Lexington on March 18, at the age of 20.