Played Hard Retired to Rigney's Broodmare Band

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Played Hard Retired to Rigney's Broodmare Band
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Photo: Mathea Kelley
Played Hard (inside) repels Secret Oath in the La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs

Grade 1 winner Played Hard , who gave trainer Philip Bauer the first top-level win of his career when she captured the La Troienne Stakes (G1) in May, has been retired to Rigney Racing's broodmare band, owner Richard Rigney confirmed Oct. 19.

Played Hard has been sidelined since finishing third in the June 10 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. A start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 4 had been the goal for the 5-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, but an ankle injury incurred while training at Saratoga Race Course this summer prompted her connections to greenlight the start of her second career. 

"We're going to retire her," Rigney said. "She ended up coming up lame when she was in Saratoga, so our thoughts were she was going to miss some training, and it was going to take like 60 days. Everyone said that she's going to be fine; she's going to be able to race. But we weren't really sure if she was going to make the Breeders' Cup. And so, Phil and I said she doesn't owe us anything, so let's stop now."

Played Hard is at Denali Stud near Paris, Ky., where the Rigneys keep their broodmare band.

Bred by Susan Casner, Played Hard has been a catalyst behind the Rigneys and Bauer enjoying their best career results in the last couple of seasons. The bay mare took five tries to break her maiden when she debuted in 2021 but was off the board just twice in 16 starts.

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Her first graded stakes win came when she annexed the Locust Grove Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs last September. She would continue her ascent two starts later when she captured the Falls City Stakes (G3) there last November, and the Twin Spires would again serve as the backdrop for yet another highlight when the bay mare made her seasonal bow this spring.

In the $750,000 La Troienne, Played Hard defeated a wicked set of rivals that included 2022 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Secret Oath , defending race winner Pauline's Pearl , and grade 1 winners A Mo Reay , Search Results  and Society . Her victory set off an emotional celebration for her connections.

"We kind of knew right away with Played Hard that this horse was very different than other horses we've had," Rigney said of the mare they purchased for $280,000 out of the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Four Star Sales consignment.

Reflecting on her initial training, Rigney said: "We would go to Ocala where we keep our horses with Barry Berkelhammer and (bloodstock agent John Moynihan) was like, "Richard, this horse might bring you to the promised land."

Played Hard retires with six wins and $1,480,140 in earnings.