Lava Man’s connections have finalized their decision to retire the five-time Grade 1 winner after detecting ankle problems.

Co-owner Steve Kenly said veterinarians at Alamo Pintado Medical Center in Los Olivos, California, found significant changes in the seven-year-old gelding’s front ankles compared to earlier in the year.

The minor ailments put a seal on the decision that Kenly, co-owner Jason Wood, and trainer Doug O’Neill had been seriously considering since Lava Man finished last of six in the Eddie Read Handicap (G1) on July 20.

Kenly described Lava Man as “unofficially retired” the day after the Eddie Read, but they opted to have him examined at the clinic before making a final verdict.

“When we heard about the results of the X-rays, the decision was easy,” Kenly said on Wednesday. “It was time to call it a day.”

O’Neill is lobbying for Lava Man to remain with him as a stable pony. Kenly has said that he would like to see the California-bred invited to reside at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

O’Neill claimed Lava Man for Wood and the Kenly family’s STD Racing Stable for $50,000 at Del Mar in 2004. Two years later, Lava Man became the first horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), and Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) in the same season.

Lava Man also scored in the 2007 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), and he equaled Native Diver’s feat of winning the Hollywood Gold Cup three years in a row.

“It’s been wonderful to be around such a great champion,” O’Neill said.