Sustaining injury while running in the Turf Classic, Cape Blanco retires to stud
The globetrotting Irish Invader, Cape Blanco, ran his last race at Belmont Park in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on 1 October, 2011, and won it, but the win was followed by disappointing news.
The 4-year-old Aidan O’Brien trained colt apparently sustained an injury during his win in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, and has been retired.
Cape Blanco retired to stud, because he suffered a “slab fracture” to one of his knees during the race.
The son of Galileo was in serious contention to win the 2011 Eclipse Award after his hat-trick of wins on American soil, starting from his first in North America in the Grade 1 Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park.
He defeated the heavily favoured Gio Ponti to win the race on 9 July, 2011.
Cape Blanco came back to challenge Gio Ponti in the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Arlington Park, and aced the race yet again, keeping Gio Ponti from winning in his own backyard on 13 August.
Out of Laurel Delight by Presidium, Cape Blanco the 2010 Joe Hirsch Turf champion Winchester and the likes of Dean’s Kitten in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, but despite carrying an injury he refused to go down and won the race, going 3 of 3 in North America
in as many starts.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said, “The fact that he never once changed leads in the home straight in spite of his injury just goes to prove what a brave horse he is".
Cape Blanco’s next target would have been the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and that would have squarely put Cape Blanco in discussion for winning the Eclipse Award for 2011 American Horse of The Year.
Cape Blanco raced for owners Mrs. Fitriani Hay, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor, over all he has gone on to win nine times out of 15 starts, and after his Turf Classic win he has earned a whopping $3,855,665.
“Cape Blanco is an extremely talented and courageous horse with a tremendous attitude to his racing so we will all be very sad to see him leave Ballydoyle,” said O’Brien".
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