AFTER being declared the winner of the Kentucky Derby by disqualification, Country House will not run in the Preakness because of illness, ending any chance of a Triple Crown attempt this year.

Trainer Bill Mott said Tuesday the long-shot winner of horse racing’s biggest event was no longer being considered to run in the second leg of the Triple Crown after it looked as if Country House was getting sick. After the horse started coughing, which Mott called unusual, blood work showed he was harbouring some sort of virus.

“Hopefully just rest and a little time is going to be what the doctor ordered,” Mott said. “Other than that, he doesn’t actually act sick. He’s kind of a big, tough horse, but there’s signs that things are not going in the right direction with him.”

Country House was elevated to the winner’s circle at the Kentucky Derby in sloppy conditions Saturday after Maximum Security was disqualified for impeding other horses. His absence at the Preakness means there won’t be a chance for the sport to have a Triple Crown winner for the third time in five years.

Country Horse is the first Kentucky Derby winner not to enter the Preakness since Grindstone in 1996.

Because of how the Kentucky Derby went, Mott said he and those around the horse were not as disappointed as they would’ve been under normal circumstances.

“I guess it’s been an unusual ride anyway,” Mott said of his first Derby victory. “I don’t think it hit any of us as hard as what it might have. I think we’re grateful to have the win we had and hopefully he bounces back for some races later on.”

Country House joins Maximum Security in skipping the Preakness.