By Bloodhorse.com
BONSALL, Calif. (Dec. 8, 2017) — Trainer Martine Bellocq suffered second- and third-degree burns over 50% of her body while trying to rescue her horses during the Dec. 7 fire at San Luis Rey Training Center in Bonsall, Calif.
Bellocq’s brother-in-law, Remi Bellocq, reported Dec. 8 that Martine was air-lifted to UC San Diego Medical Center where she is being treated for the burns. Doctors have put her in an induced coma as they treat her.
“She’s in intensive care right now,” Remi Bellocq said Friday morning. He added that doctors examined Martine’s lungs and found no significant damage.
Martine’s husband and Remi’s brother Pierre Bellocq Jr. also was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
“They had six horses at the training center and she was trying the best she could to save them,” Remi Bellocq said. “The fire hit so fast and where they were in one of the lower barns. Three of their horses died for sure and they’re not sure where the other three are. They ask that anyone who finds them to take care of them.”
The Bellocq family has deep roots in racing. Martine and Pierre Bellocq Jr. are a husband and wife training team, Remi Bellocq heads the Bluegrass Community and Technical College equine program and contributes cartoons to BloodHorse. Pierre Bellocq senior, “PEB” is a Jockey Club Medal winner for his contributions to the sport as the long-time cartoonist for Daily Racing Form.
Remi Bellocq encourages people to support the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation, which plans to set up a special fund for horsemen injured or affected by the fire.