A day after Rachel Alexandra turned in a bullet four-furlong work
at Saratoga’s Oklahoma Training Track, her majority owner, Jess
Jackson, announced that the reigning Horse of the Year had been retired
from racing.
"As you know, despite top training and a patient campaign, Rachel
Alexandra did not return to her 2009 form,” Jackson said. “I believe
it's time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful
life. We are delighted she will retire healthy and happy to our
beautiful farm in Kentucky (Stonestreet Farm near Lexington).
“Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing. As a 3-year-old, she set
standards and records that no filly before her ever achieved. And I
suspect it will be quite a while before a 3-year-old filly ever equals
or surpasses her achievements. Although her fans were thrilled by a
series of spectacular victories, I believe they, as we, were simply
awed time and again by her sheer beauty, courage, and athleticism.”
During her spotless eight-race campaign in 2009, Rachel Alexandra
defeated fillies by more than 20 lengths in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I)
and 19 lengths in the Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) and she also beat
males in the grade I Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward. Off the track,
the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro helped raise money for cancer research, education, and other charitable causes.
After being trained to early success by now-retired conditioner Hal
Wiggins, who saddled her to victory in the Oaks, Rachel Alexandra was
purchased privately by Jackson and Harold T. McCormick from her
previous owners Dolphus Morrison and Mike Lauffer.
"I have been blessed to have been part of history,” said trainer
Steve Asmussen, who took over the reins from Wiggins in 2009. “We are
all very fortunate that Rachel carried the banner following Curlin's
amazing success story. The fans adored her, we all did. She had the
most fluid and beautiful stride of any horse I have ever seen. It's
been quite a ride.”
"On behalf of my partner Hal McCormick, I want to thank Steve
Asmussen, Scott Blasi, and the entire Asmussen Racing team for their
immense contributions to Rachel's success story,” Jackson said. “And
last, but far from least, let me thank the great (jockey) Calvin Borel.
“Now we are looking to the future. We are eager to introduce Rachel
to Curlin. Imagine what possibilities those two super horses might
produce," Jackson concluded.
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