Two people have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a historic bronze horse statue in Sacramento, California, but the sculpture that once stood as a neighborhood landmark remains missing.
The statue honored Ben Ali, a thoroughbred who won the Kentucky Derby in 1886. For nearly two decades, the nearly 7-foot sculpture stood along Del Paso Boulevard near Winnipeg Street, connecting the North Sacramento community to a little-known chapter of the region’s horse-racing history.
Sacramento police identified the suspects as Joshua Hughes, 28, and Aushajuan Hardy, 48. Jail records indicate that Hughes has been released, while Hardy remains in custody and is ineligible for bail.
The arrests mark a development in an investigation that began after the statue was reported stolen on September 30. However, authorities have not announced its recovery, leaving residents without a clear answer about where the historic sculpture went.
A historic landmark vanished from Del Paso Boulevard
The statue was reported missing from the area near the 1900 block of Del Paso Boulevard and Winnipeg Street. Investigators said the bronze sculpture had been removed from its pedestal, leaving behind only a bronze hoof.
The sculpture was valued at approximately $80,000, making the theft a significant loss for the neighborhood.
Unlike a decorative statue with no connection to its surroundings, the Ben Ali monument represented a specific part of Sacramento’s past. It commemorated a racehorse whose story was closely tied to Rancho Del Paso, a vast property in what is now Sacramento County that once covered roughly 44,000 acres.
The ranch became known for breeding and raising thoroughbred horses, helping establish the area’s connection to the racing industry.
The statue was installed in 2007 with support from a grant and city funding. Over time, it became a recognizable feature of Del Paso Boulevard and a reminder of the area’s historical identity.
Its disappearance therefore raised concerns beyond the monetary value of the bronze itself.
Who was Ben Ali, the Kentucky Derby winner?
Ben Ali was a thoroughbred racehorse born in 1883. He won the Kentucky Derby in 1886, becoming the first California-bred horse to win the prestigious race, according to historical accounts of the horse and the event.
His connection to Sacramento came through Rancho Del Paso, where he trained before achieving national recognition on the racetrack.
The Kentucky Derby, first held in 1875 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, became one of America’s best-known horse races. Ben Ali’s victory came during the event’s early years, long before the modern Derby developed into the internationally recognized sporting occasion it is today.
For Sacramento, the horse’s legacy offered a link between local history and a major moment in American thoroughbred racing.
The bronze statue was created to preserve that connection in a public setting. Its placement along Del Paso Boulevard made the story accessible to residents and visitors who might otherwise never have heard of Ben Ali or Rancho Del Paso.
Why residents say the statue mattered
The disappearance prompted concern among community members who viewed the sculpture as more than a piece of public art.
Mina Perez, vice chair of the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, previously described Ben Ali as a symbol of perseverance and achievement. The horse’s story resonated with residents who saw a connection between its legacy and the neighborhood’s own challenges and determination.
For longtime residents, the sculpture also served as a visual reminder of the area’s character and history.
Replacing a missing landmark is not always as simple as commissioning another piece of artwork. The original sculpture had historical meaning, and reproducing it could require funding, planning and decisions about how the community wants its heritage represented.
Perez has said the city does not currently have the money needed to replace the statue, adding another concern if the original sculpture cannot be recovered.
What the arrests mean for the investigation
The arrests are an important step in the case, but they do not resolve the central question of where the statue is now.
Police have not announced that the bronze sculpture has been located, and its recovery remains a key outstanding issue.
The difference matters because identifying suspects and recovering stolen property are separate parts of a theft investigation. Even after arrests, investigators may still need information about what happened to the property, whether it was moved and whether it can be returned in usable condition.
Bronze is a valuable metal used in sculptures and other objects, but authorities have not publicly established what happened to the missing statue after it was removed from its pedestal. It would be premature to conclude that it was melted down, sold or transported elsewhere without evidence.
Hughes’ release and Hardy’s continued detention also reflect their current custody status, not a determination of guilt. The criminal case must proceed through the appropriate legal process.
Police continue searching for the missing sculpture
Sacramento police are asking anyone with information about the statue’s disappearance or current location to contact the department.
For the North Sacramento community, finding the sculpture would mean more than recovering an object valued at tens of thousands of dollars. It would offer an opportunity to restore a public landmark that helped tell the story of the area’s connection to thoroughbred racing.
The arrests have brought new attention to the case, but the investigation remains unfinished.
Until the Ben Ali statue is found, a piece of Sacramento’s local history will remain missing from the street where residents had seen it for nearly 20 years.
