Bellocq badly burned in Calif. fire

Martine Bellocq, a California trainer from a prominent racing family, is being treated in a San Diego-area hospital after suffering severe burns when attempting to rescue her horses during the fire Thursday at the San Luis Rey Downs Training Center in Bonsall, Calif., according to her brother-inlaw.

Remi Bellocq, the brother of Martine’s husband, Pierre Bellocq Jr., said that Martine suffered second- and third-degree burns over 50 percent of her body. She has been placed in a medically induced coma by doctors at UC San Diego Medical Center to undergo treatments for the burns, Remi Bellocq said.

“It’s a really tough situation right now,” Remi said.

Martine and Pierre co-trained six horses at the center, Remi said. Three of the horses died in the fire, and the other three have not yet been located, according to Remi. Pierre also was admitted to the hospital Thursday night and was treated for smoke inhalation, but his injuries were not severe, and he is now attending to his wife, Remi said.

“Everyone on California backstretches know her as this bubbly character who would help anyone, and it’s just amazing the outpouring of support she is receiving,” Remi said.

Remi and Pierre are the sons of Pierre “Peb” Bellocq, the longtime cartoonist for the Daily Racing Form. Remi, who regularly contributes political cartoons to the Lexington Herald-Leader, is the head of the equine program at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and he was previously the chief executive of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, following management stints at a number of racetracks.

Remi Bellocq said he was encouraging supporters to donate to the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation in order to assist in the treatment of his sister-inlaw.