2011 Belmont Winner Ruler On Ice Retired
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Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Ruler On Ice has been retired from racing and is scheduled to ship to owner George and Lori Hall's Kentucky farm early during the week of July 7.
Stabled at Monmouth Park, the 6-year-old gelding will take one more spin around the paddock at the Jersey shore track July 5 before leading the field over for the Long Branch Stakes.
"It's been a great five years with him," said trainer Kelly Breen, who has had the son of Haskell Invitational (gr. I) winner Roman Ruler since he was a 2-year-old. "He's had some minor leg issues that would prevent him from competing at the top of the game. He's given us some great thrills and for me personally, the biggest win of my career. He'll be missed around the barn."
Ruler On Ice debuted on Sept. 19, 2010 at Monmouth, finishing fifth in a maiden special weight event. Following his upset win in the 2011 Belmont Stakes over a sloppy track at odds of 24-1, Ruler On Ice went on that year to finish third in the Haskell, fourth in the Travers (gr. I), second in the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), and third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
From a career that spanned 23 races, the Kentucky-bred gelding earned $1,709,566 with a lifetime mark of 4-5-3. He started once this year, finishing fifth in the Mountainview Handicap at Penn National Race Course.
Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm bred Ruler On Ice in Kentucky. The chestnut is out of the graded stakes-placed Saratoga Six mare Champagne Glow. The Halls purchased Ruler On Ice for $100,000 as a yearling in the 2009 Keeneland September sale.