by Jeff Lowe

Nobiz Like Shobiz, who won the 2007 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and five other graded stakes races, has been retired. Stud plans are pending.

The four-year-old Albert the Great colt out of Nightstorm, by Storm Cat, was sidelined earlier this year while he was preparing for a campaign that would have been centered on a return to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), a race in which he finished fourth in 2007 for owner-breeder Elizabeth Valando and trainer Barclay Tagg.

Valando said a Florida veterinarian detected a suspensory issue, but Larry Bramlage, D.V.M., found no injury in a subsequent exam about a month later in Lexington.

“[Bramlage] did say that it wouldn’t hurt to give him about 30 days off, just because he had a tough campaign last year,” Valando said. “By the time we did that, Barclay said he didn’t think he could have [Nobiz Like Shobiz] ready for the Breeders’ Cup. That was the main goal for this year.”

Nobiz Like Shobiz won the 2006 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct and the '07 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park prior to his half-length victory in the Wood Memorial.

Following a tenth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), Nobiz Like Shobiz switched to grass late last summer and reeled off victories in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course, Kent Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) at Delaware Park, and the Jamaica Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park.

Valando is boarding Nobiz Like Shobiz at Indian Creek Farm in Paris, Kentucky.

“He’s vacationing until stud arrangements are made,” she said. “He’s been a wonderful horse. In addition to being a very good racehorse, he has a great personality. He’s easy to work with, and everybody likes him.”

Bred in Kentucky, Nobiz Like Shobiz won seven of 13 career starts and earned $1,544,730.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer