Rachel Alexandra has been retired

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - It was announced that Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra has been retired from racing and will be bred to another Horse of the Year, Curlin.

Majority owner Jess Jackson made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.

"As you know, despite top training and a patient campaign, Rachel Alexandra did not return to her 2009 form," Jackson said in a statement. "I believe it's time to retire our champion and reward her with a less stressful life. We are delighted that she will retire healthy and happy to our beautiful farm in Kentucky.

"Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing. As a three-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 three-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."

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Rachel had been training at Saratoga Race Course and had a four-furlong workout as recently as Monday morning.

"I have been blessed to have been part of history. We are all very fortunate that Rachel carried the banner following Curlin's amazing success story. The fans adored her, we all did," said Asmussen. "She had the most fluid and beautiful stride of any horse I have ever seen. It's been quite a ride."

Co-owned by Jackson and Hal McCormick, Rachel earned more than $3.5 million in her 19-race career, with 13 victories. This year she won just two of five starts following her 2009 campaign, when she went undefeated in eight races for better than $2.7 million.

Last year Rachel won the Kentucky Oaks by more than 20 lengths and went on to win the Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell and Woodward. She was voted Horse of the Year as well as champion three-year-old filly.

This year, Rachel won the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs and Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park. She was second in the New Orleans Ladies, La Troienne and Personal Ensign.

"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 noted. "And last but far from least let me thank the great 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 is the majority owner of 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin.