American Gal Retired to Hill 'n' Dale

Kaleem Shah's two-time grade 1 winner American Gal has been retired, according to a Sept. 18 announcement via Twitter from the filly's trainer, Simon Callaghan. 

"Today we announce the retirement of one of the best horses we have had the privilege to train," Callaghan shared. "American Gal, a homebred for Kaleem Shah, heads to KY to begin her second career Hill 'n' Dale Farm."

The 4-year-old daughter of Concord Point started in the barn of Bob Baffert, and broke her maiden at first asking at 2 at Del Mar. She followed that win with another in Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita Park before stepping up to graded company next out in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Despite an awkward break that sent her on a wide-trip that cost her ground, the talented filly rallied to take third.

American Gal closed out her freshman season with a second-place finish in the grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course, finishing one length behind eventual champion 3-year-old filly, Abel Tasman. 

Briefly sidelined to undergo minor surgery to remove an ankle chip, American Gal was moved to Callaghan's supervision and was soon back in winning form for the start of her 3-year-old campaign. Shipping east to New York from her California base, the filly posted back-to-back stakes victories in the Victory Ride (G3) and Longines Test Stakes (G1). 

Returning to race at 4, American Gal finished fourth in the April 7 Madison Stakes (G1) before winning the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs less than one month later. American Gal last competed in the Bed o' Roses Invitational Stakes (G3), where she finished fifth.  

Bred in Kentucky out of the graded stakes-placed Ghostzapper  mare American Story, American Gal retires with a 5-1-1 record from nine starts with $921,480 in earnings. According to Shah, she will arrive at Hill 'n' Dale Sept. 19. 

"We take very good care of our horses whether they be American Gal or a horse at any level," the owner said of his decision to retire the filly. "When it's time for them to retire, we do the right thing by the horse and make sure they're taken care of. 

"She had a few nagging issues and we thought it was time for her to go and be a mom. She's been a perfect race horse and given me and my family memories of a lifetime."