Horse named after vet who tragically died saving champion Lady Eli wins on debut

A horse named after a vet who tragically died after saving champion Lady Eli has won its first race.

The star thoroughbred suffered life-threatening laminitis when she stepped on a nail after taking the 2015 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes and was nursed back to health by Dr Robert Agne.

Sadly just months later, the vet passed away at the age of 54 when his bicycle was struck by a car in Vermont.

Thanks to his quick intervention, Lady Eli was able to overcome the condition in both front feet and went on to further Grade One glory.

When she retired after earning nearly $3,000,000, connections decided to name one of her foals Dr Agne in a fitting tribute.

And the white-faced bay, sired by outstanding stallion Into Mischief, came from well off the pace to make a perfect start on his debut.

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Trained by Cherie DeVaux, who was assistant to Chad Brown during Lady Eli's career, Dr Agne surged through from the home turn under Jose Ortiz.

The colt passed the tiring leaders and held off a charge from favourite Epic Desire to score by a length for the partnership of Madaket Stables LLC, Twin Brook Stables and Belladonna Racing LLC.

Dr Agne’s widow Carrie Agne held back tears after Friday's seven furlong contest, run in a time of 1:25.97.

"Seeing this, it’s like, what comes to my mind is they have the same heart," she told told America’s Day at the Races.

"They just really try.”

Now aged 13, Lady Eli fought back from her health issue to claim the Flower Bowl Stakes (2016), Gamely Stakes (2017), Diana Stakes (2017) and Ballston Spa Handicap.

Undefeated when she became ill, a record which included the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf of 2014, Brown said Dr Agne of Rood And Riddle Equine Hospital and Dr Bryan Fraley of Fraley Equine Podiatry gave her great care.

"She has excellent hoof growth and is moving comfortably," he stated at the time. "She gets out to graze for 30 minutes daily in my courtyard, and she's really enjoying that. This can often be a long process, but we couldn't be more pleased with her progress."

Dr Agne is now set for a turf campaign after hitting the target at the same venue where Lady Eli broke her maiden in 2014.

"He overcame a lot, and I'm just so pleased that Carrie was here and that we got to share this with her, " said DeVaux.