Champion Main Sequence retired after injury

By: SPORTS NETWORK

(SportsNetwork.com) - Champion turf runner Main Sequence has been retired from racing with an injury.

Owned by Flaxman Holdings, Main Sequence suffered a tendon injury in the recent United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park as he was defending last year's win.

"Following Main Sequence's poor performance in the United Nations Handicap, a thorough veterinary examination was carried out last week," said Flaxman Holdings' racing manager, Alan Cooper. "A tendon tear was discovered and the decision has been taken to retire him. The 2014 Eclipse Champion Turf Male and Eclipse Champion Older Male has given his owners great pleasure throughout his career."

The 6-year-old gelding, trained by Graham Motion, won last year's Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita which capped his perfect season after coming over from Europe.

Main Sequence won all four starts in 2014 and was voted the Eclipse Awards as champion Male Turf Horse and Older Male. Following his United Nations victory, he reeled off wins in the Sword Dancer at Saratoga and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park leading into the Breeders' Cup.

After beginning 2015 by winning Gulfstream Park's Mac Diarmida, Main Sequence finished seventh in both the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 28 and the United Nations on July 5.

Main Sequence concludes his career with nine wins, three seconds and three thirds in 21 starts and $3,428,666.

The announcement of Main Sequence's retirement comes one day after it was revealed that Lady Eli, winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, has laminitis and is probably retired.

Also sidelined with an injury is 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome. The 4-year-old colt has a bruised cannon bone.