Grade I Winner Gabriel Charles Retired
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Gabriel Charles
Grade I winner Gabriel Charles has been retired following the discovery that he bowed a tendon, trainer Jeff Mullins said July 7.
The 6-year-old son of Street Hero , who won the 2015 Eddie Read (gr. IT) and 2013 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT), recorded his last workout June 4 at Santa Anita Park in preparation for the Wise Dan (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs June 18, but the injured tendon was discovered days later, forcing his retirement. He bowed the same tendon in 2013 after running second in the Twilight Derby (gr. IIT) and the injury knocked him out of racing for about 18 months.
BALAN: Gabriel Charles Swings Wide to Win Read
In 2015, after he won the Eddie Read, a bout of colic again knocked Gabriel Charles out of training, but he ran well in his 6-year-old debut, second by a neck to Alert Bay in the San Francisco Mile (gr. IIIT) at Golden Gate Fields April 30. That race encouraged Mullins to ship east for the Wise Dan, which would have been his first start outside of California.
"We thought we were rolling again," Mullins said. "The thing about soft tissue is, sooner or later it's going to rear its ugly head again. To compete at that level—that level of athlete—it's just a matter of time. Unfortunately, it didn't last that long this time.
"He's been through a lot and we've been through a lot, and we're thankful we were along for the ride."
Since the breeding season is over, Mullins said Gabriel Charles will be heading to a farm in Temecula, Calif., so he can be closer to the family of co-owner Michael House. Gabriel Charles is named after House's grandson.
"He's just a superior athlete and he loves his job," Mullins said. "He's been ornery since we retired him, because he can't go to the track. He's one who wants to be out in the fight."
As for Gabriel Charles' breeding future, Mullins said there have been offers from Australia and South America, but "nothing concrete." Mullins also said he'd like the horse to stay in the U.S., so he might be able to train some of his offspring.