2018 San Juan Capistrano Winner Nessy Retired

Long-winded gelding Nessy, winner of the 1 3/4-mile San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park in 2018, has been retired by owner Sierra Farm.

The 7-year-old son of Flower Alley last raced in the 1 3/8-mile Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 29, running seventh, beaten 12 1/2 lengths by Zulu Alpha. After the race, he developed colitis, and though he recovered, the setback "knocked the stuffing out of him," according to Sierra Farm manager Mike Callanan.

He resumed breezing but after showing signs of mild colic and dehydration after a July 2 workout at Skylight Training Center, trainer Ian Wilkes suggested retirement. So he returned July 3 to Sierra Farm near Lexington, where he is now turned out in a small paddock with another gelding.

"Eventually I'd like to throw a saddle on him, do a bit of trail riding, maybe do something like that," said Callanan. "Regardless, he is going to be here at Sierra Farm all of his life."

Thank you, Nessy! Everyone in the barn loved Nessy, and the one thing I’m grateful for is watching Ed Hudon’s dream come true winning the San Juan Capistrano. Thanks for the memories and enjoy your retirement @sierrafarmky, Nessy! https://t.co/um2MHzuAdI

— Ian Wilkes (@IanWilkesRacing) July 4, 2020

Nessy, a homebred, has long been a sentimental favorite of Sharon Hudon's Sierra Farm, having won the San Juan Capistrano right before Hudon's husband, Ed, a co-owner of the farm, died in 2018 at age 80. Nessy was Ed Hudon's first graded stakes winner as an owner.

"He's a very, very special horse to us. He gave Ed basically his dying wish," Callanan said.

Nessy rejoins his dam, the Kris S. mare Flower Forest, at Sierra Farm where he was raised. Flower Forest, 20, a producer of three graded stakes winners, retired from breeding after foaling a Distorted Humor  colt in 2019 but still resides at the farm.

Some bittersweet news to share with u all. Unfortunately we have retired our wonderful warrior Nessy. He’s not been same horse this year & @IanWilkesRacing @sharonhudon & all of us @sierrafarmky think him too special to go on with if he’s not 100% right.

— Sierra Farm (@sierrafarmky) July 4, 2020

Sierra Farm, the breeder of Nadal, a winner of a division of this year's Arkansas Derby (G1), has entered the Distorted Humor colt in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

"He's a May foal," Callanan said. "We thought he might be a little small but he has really come on over the spring. He's one of our better yearlings right now."

Besides Nessy—who made $449,038 in 34 starts by winning or placing in eight stakes, including the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (G1T) last year—Flower Forest produced Bullards Alley, winner of the 2017 Pattison Canadian International Stakes (G1T), and Karibu Gardens, the Sky Classic Stakes (G2T) winner of 2014. All three are the progeny of Flower Alley.

A half sister to Nessy, the winless 5-year-old Too Much Detail (by Overanalyze), is carrying on the family line for Sierra Farm. She is in foal to Nyquist .