NEWS
Japanese media outlets report Vodka to be retired
Posted: Saturday, March 06, 2010 9:57 PM
VODKA
Masakazu Takahashi photo
by Mike Curry
Multiple Japanese media outlets are reporting that two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Vodka will be retired after she bled during an eighth-place finish in the Al Maktoum Challenge-Round 3 Sponsored by Derrinstown Stud (UAE-G2) on Thursday at Meydan Racecourse.
The superstar six-year-old Tanino Gimlet mare was shipped to Dubai for a planned start in the $10-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1). The all-time leading female earner with $13,147,826, Vodka would have surpassed T.M. Opera O ($16,200,337) to become the Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading earner with a World Cup victory.
Nikkan Sports first reported that Vodka would be retired and several other Japanese media outlets have confirmed the news. Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii is scheduled to hold a press conference on Sunday.
Vodka was named Japanese champion two-year-old filly in 2006, but she gained worldwide attention the following season when she became the first filly in 64 years to win the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). She retained her brilliant form as a four-year-old, posting wins in the 2008 Tenno Sho (Jpn-G1) (Autumn) and Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1) before finishing third in the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1) en route to Horse of the Year honors.
She won the Victoria Mile (Jpn-G1) and scored a repeat win in the Yasuda Kinen last year before a career-defining victory in the Japan Cup that cemented a second Horse of the Year award.
Nikkan Sports reported Vodka will be bred to 2009 European Horse of the Year Sea The Stars. A winner of ten of 26 starts for owner Yuzo Tanimizu, she is out of the Rousillon mare Tanino Sister.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
Masakazu Takahashi contributed to this story
