Bold Chieftain, California-bred two-time winner of Del Mar's California Dreamin' Handicap and career earner
of $1.5 million, has been retired from racing and will pursue a new career as a
California
stallion, co-breeder, co-owner and trainer William Morey Jr. said Friday
morning.
"We're letting him down now," Morey said,
adding that he will be sent off to stud soon. Morey said the horse would be
shipped to Applebite Farms near Stockton
to await final plans for a stud career. "They have shown a lot of interest
in him, so we're sending him there now," Morey said. "There has been
other interest shown but a final decision hasn't been made."
Of the 7-year-old son of Chief Seattle, out of Hooked
on Seattle,
Morey said, "He's been a wonderful horse for us. He's never left California."
Morey's owner/breeder partners are Duane Hall,
Langbein Trust and Ken Robinson. Morey has been fond of saying, "When he
wins, we hit a homerun," meaning the partners take the owner's share of
the purse and any California
breeders' money.
Bold Chieftain's career record shows 17 wins, seven
seconds and four thirds from 38 starts. In his last race -- the California
Dreamin' Handicap on Sunday -- he finished last of six. Morey said the horse
retired sound, but he had been bleeding some in recent races and "a heavy
dose of bleeder medication made him drop his head a bit." Even so, he had
a string of three victories and a second in races leading up Sunday's finale.
He ranks 17th on the list of top-earning Cal-breds,
right behind Brother Derek.
"He always did his job," Morey said,
"and we hope he enjoys Phase Two of his life." The trainer said the
partnership is still open to offers from other breeding farms. "We're not
interested in standing him ourselves, but we'd like to have a couple of
breeding rights for our own mares."