Haskell Invitational Winner Girvin Retired

Girvin, the winner of the 2017 Betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) who won or placed in seven of 10 starts, has been retired because of a soft tissue injury. According to a July 3 release, stud plans have not been finalized.

A 4-year-old son of Tale of Ekati  produced from the Malibu Moon  mare Catch the Moon, Girvin is owned by Brad and Misty Grady and was trained by Joe Sharp. He retires with earnings of $1,624,392.

The half brother to grade 3 stakes winner Cocked and Loaded was bred in Kentucky by Bob Austin and John Witte. After failing to attain his reserve on a final bid of $140,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the colt was purchased by Florida horseman Bobby Dodd's Grand Oaks for $130,000 from consignor Legacy Bloodstock the following month at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.

Girvin won his career debut in December of his 2-year-old year at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, going six furlongs in 1:10.32.

As a 3-year-old, the dark bay or brown colt scored consecutive wins in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), and he went into 2017 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (G1) as the leading point earner on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Following a troubled 13th-place finish in the classic, Girvin ran second in the Ohio Derby (G3) before a game nose victory in the Haskell at Monmouth Park. In his lone 2018 effort, Girvin was second in the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park.

"Girvin gave me and my family experiences we will always cherish" Brad Grady said in the release. "We have been extremely fortunate to be around some superior horses, but Girvin was the best. His racing chapter has ended, but we are looking forward to another chapter beginning."

"Girvin did everything we ever asked him to do," trainer Sharp added. "We always believed in Girvin from day one and the memories he gave me and my team will last a lifetime."