Paddy O'Prado retired from Romans stable

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Stakes winner Paddy O'Prado has been retired from racing with an injured hoof. The four-year-old is trained by Dale Romans who conditions this year's Preakness Stakes champ Shackleford.

Paddy O'Prado, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, won Saturday's Dixie Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on the Preakness program. However, the grass runner suffered a bruised hoof.

"We are very disappointed today to see Paddy's career end so suddenly," owner Jerry Crawford said. "This is what is best for Paddy; he will make a full recovery and embark on the next stage of his career. The thrills that he has given us are priceless and we were so proud and honored to share them with family, friends and fans in Iowa and around the country."

Paddy O'Prado became a star on turf in 2010 with a series of wins in stakes races on grass. His first career victory came in the Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park last year. He finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and then came in third to Super Saver in the 136th Kentucky Derby.

Following a sixth-place result in the Preakness Stakes, Paddy O'Prado raced primarily on the turf. He captured the Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Derby, both at Colonial Downs, and the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park.

Facing older horses for the first time in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park the colt registered a second-place finish as the 6-5 favorite. He concluded his three-year-old campaign by closing for fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic behind Blame and Zenyatta at Churchill Downs. Paddy O'Prado was a finalist for the 2010 Eclipse Award as champion three-year-old male.

"He was as versatile as any horse I've ever trained, and competed at the highest levels on turf, dirt and polytrack. It takes a special horse to win or place in Grade I races on all three surfaces," Romans said. "He never gave less than full effort, and every time we led him to the track, I was confident that he could compete against any other horse."

Paddy O'Prado finishes his 15 race career with five wins, three seconds, and three thirds for $1,721,297. He earned more than $1.2 million in his turf starts.

Stud plans have yet to be finalized.