One of the potential stars of Del Mar’s first Breeders’ Cup won’t make it to the starting gate.
Songbird, a two-time Eclipse Award-winning filly and a favorite for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff, was retired Thursday due to medical issues in both her hind legs.
“We have a situation where it’d be dangerous for Songbird to continue training,” owner Rick Porter said in a posting on his Fox Hill Farm Facebook page.
A 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, Songbird won her first 11 career races, including the Del Mar Debutante and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at 2, before suffering a heartbreaking but memorable loss to Beholder in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She was named champion filly of North America at 2 and 3 and is a virtual lock to be voted into the Racing Hall of Fame.
Songbird was given a lengthy break after the Breeders’ Cup and returned in June and won the Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont and the Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park. But last Saturday she was defeated by Forever Unbridled in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga. She retires with 13 wins and two seconds in 15 starts and earnings of $4,692,000. Jerry Hollendorfer was her trainer and she was ridden by Mike Smith.
More of the Facebook post from Porter:
“There is an ancient proverb that says all good things must come to an end. Today, Fox Hill Farm announces that something that was very good for us, and very good for racing, has come to an end — the racing career of Songbird.
“Over the Winter, Songbird had bone bruising and a specific area was very slow to heal. She was finally cleared to return, but the three races from Songbird this year weren’t what we expected from the bigger, stronger, and smarter Songbird. There were so many variables with her long layoff, shipping, tiring tracks, going 1 1/4 miles, and more, we were never sure which of the variables may explain what wasn’t quite Songbird.
“After this past race, we thought something seemed off in her hind end, so we sent her to Rood & Riddle for an evaluation. Her lameness was readily apparent to Dr. Bramlage, and ultrasounds proved both hind suspensories were enlarged. Since suspensories are usually the result of something else amiss and he knew of her history, Dr. Bramlage shot a set of x-rays of the area of bone Songbird had issues with over the Winter. A distinct line on the bone was present. We followed up with a bone scan, and then an MRI.
“Unfortunately, the results weren’t what we wanted to see. We have a situation where it’d be dangerous for Songbird to continue training, and Dr. Bramlage isn’t optimistic that the site will fully resolve even if given ample time.
“So for this reason, we are retiring our lovely Songbird. She was an absolute joy to race, and we expect that she’ll be as wonderful a broodmare as she was a racehorse. She took us on an incredible and unforgettable journey.”
Hall of Famer Mike Smith, the only jockey to ride Songbird in a race, said it “was a blessing and privilege to ride her. I can’t compare her to some of the other great horses I’ve ridden, because they’re all like children and you love them all. But I will say this. These last few years were her time. And during her time, she was one of the best.”
As such, had she been healthy, Songbird almost assuredly would have run in the Distaff again when the 34th Breeders’ Cup comes to Del Mar for the first time Nov. 3-4. Not that the event will be completely lost without her.
Officials here have been prepping for horse racing’s biggest spectacle throughout this summer’s meet, which ends Monday, and are eager to show off the seaside track to the equine racing world.
“I feel like Del Mar always has been on the map, but this event is going to take us to another level,” said Dan Smith, a publicist here since 1964. “It’s going to be exciting, and we’re going to put our best foot forward to make sure it’s great.”
Del Mar widened its turf course before the 2014 summer season with the idea of attracting the Breeders’ Cup, which has been run in the Los Angeles area a dozen times, including a record nine at Santa Anita. Once that was accomplished, the process came together quickly.
“This is going to be great for both the race track and the Breeders’ Cup,” said Joe Harper, president and CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “They’ve been great to work with, and we’ve learned a lot about how to best stage this event. I think we provide a great environment. Mix it all together, and it’s going to be big for San Diego in general.”
Crowds will be limited to 37,500 for each of the two days of racing, a departure for Del Mar, which is used to opening its grounds to all fans and can draw well above 40,000 for an Opening Day or perhaps a Pacific Classic. The Breeders’ Cup says that limiting the number will make for a better experience for those fans with tickets.
“We’re excited to be coming here, and we’re excited for a lot of people to get to see Del Mar for the first time,” said Jim Gluckson, media relations director for the Breeders’ Cup, who added that some general ission tickets remain in the grandstand and infield for Nov. 3, while only infield tickets are left for Nov. 4. “I think the people at Del Mar are going to put on quite a show.”
That’s what Songbird did for the past three years. But, alas, like many race horse careers, the show closed a bit prematurely.
“It’s bittersweet, but now she can retire and just go be a horse,” Mike Smith said. “And, hopefully, she’ll be a great mother to other great horses.”
[email protected]; Twitter: @sdutposner
UPDATES:
6:30 p.m.: This story was updated with additional information provided by freelance writer Chris Ello,
