Thieves steal $80K bronze statue of Kentucky Derby winner in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A bronze statue honoring a Kentucky Derby winner has been stolen in Sacramento, California.
The nearly 7-foot statue of champion thoroughbred Ben Ali was taken from its pedestal after sitting in the area for more than 20 years due to the area’s connection to horse racing.
The Sacramento Police Department is now investigating the theft of the statue, which is valued at about $80,000, according to WLKY’s CBS affiliate KOVR.
Ben Ali won the Run for the Roses in 1886, and his story is tied to the history of the Sacramento area.
The horse was associated with Rancho Del Paso, a large ranch that once covered about 44,000 acres in the area and became known for raising thoroughbred racehorses.
Ben Ali’s statue was installed along Del Paso Boulevard in 2007 using grant money and funding from the city.
Now, only a bronze hoof remains where it once stood.
The city said replacing the statue could be difficult because it currently doesn’t have the funds to do so.