Irridescence probably headed to breeding shed
by Jeff Lowe
An infection has sidelined Beverly D. Stakes (G1) runner-up Irridescence (SAf), and she will probably not race again, owner Richard Masson said on Friday.
The six-year-old mare is being treated at Harthill and Priest Veterinary Clinic in Versailles, Kentucky.
Since Irridescence is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Masson and trainer Rusty Arnold had been considering her for the E. P. Taylor Stakes (Can-G1) on October 21 at Woodbine.
“It’s highly likely she’ll just become a broodmare,” Masson said. “I don’t think [the illness] is life-threatening at all. She’s just got an infection that we’re trying to clear up.”
Irridescence finished second by a head to Royal Highness (Ger) in the Beverly D. on August 11 at Arlington Park in her North American debut.
Masson’s Green Lantern Stable bought out partner Team Valor Stable for full ownership of Irridescence after the race and transferred her from trainer Michael de Kock to Arnold.
South Africa’s champion three-year-old filly of 2005, Irridescence scored her biggest victory in the 2006 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) at Sha Tin racecourse. She won or placed in Group/Grade 1 races in four countries while compiling six wins in 19 career starts and earnings of $1,578,910.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer