Gronkowski out of Kentucky Derby after fever

Gronkowski, the Kentucky-bred 3year-old named after the Patriots star tight end, will miss the Kentucky Derby, his ownership group said Monday.

“We very much regret that #Gronkowski will miss the @KentuckyDerby after spiking a fever over the weekend and being treated with antibiotics. He can’t make the long journey to Louisville but is doing well,” Phoenix Thoroughbreds said in a tweet.

Gronkowski, who trains and races in England, qualified for the Kentucky Derby after finishing first in a new points system for European horses.

Last week, Rob Gronkowski joined Phoenix Thoroughbreds for a stake in the horse’s ownership and was expected to meet his namesake before the Derby on May 5.

Phoenix Thoroughbreds is a Dubaibased investment fund that dropped millions of dollars at sales around the world last year.

Kerri Radcliffe, a bloodstock agent, purchased the horse on behalf of Phoenix Thoroughbreds for 300,000 British pounds (roughly $425,000 U.S. dollars) at the Tattersalls auction for 2-year-olds in training last year. Gronkowski has a 4-1-0 record in six starts.

“I loved the big rangy horse, just basically built like a tank,” Radcliffe told USA TODAY this month. “He is built in the equine form of Gronk.”

Racingpost.com first reported Monday morning that Gronkowski had a setback over the weekend.

Phoenix Thoroughbreds said in a news release that Gronkowski’s illness seems minor and that the horse was eating and responding well to treatment.