Gronkowski the horse to miss Kentucky Derby due to fever
The horse named after - and partly owned by - New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will have to miss out on this year's Kentucky Derby.
Majority owners of the horse, Phoenix Thoroughbred, announced Gronkowski caught a fever, rendering him unable to make the journey.
We very much regret that #Gronkowski will miss the @KentuckyDerby after spiking a fever over the weekend and being treated with antibiotics. He can't make the long journey to Louisville but is doing well pic.twitter.com/71CqtWnDub
— Phoenix Thoroughbred (@PhoenixThoroug1) April 23, 2018
Related: Gronkowski buys stake in horse with his name ahead of Kentucky Derby
Despite the horse's withdrawal from the race, Rob Gronkowski plans to keep his ownership stake, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.
Gronkowski the horse was scheduled to fly to Kentucky this weekend for the May 5 event. He earned his place in the Churchill Downs showpiece with a victory at the Listed Burradon Stakes in Newcastle, England.