Zayat Stables homebred Pioneerof the Nile, a two-time Grade 1 winner who finished second in this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), has been retired following a soft tissue injury in his left front leg.
The Empire Maker colt won four consecutive graded stakes races last fall and this spring, including the CashCall Futurity (G1) on December 20 at Hollywood Park and the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 4 at Santa Anita Park, before running second to Mine That Bird in the Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs—his first start on dirt.
Trainer Bob Baffert said he was crushed by the injury because the horse had been training so well.
“We noticed a little filling in his leg when we took the bandages off and we were hoping he just rapped it,” Baffert said. “I’m in shock. I was getting so excited about that horse. He was getting stronger with age and he was just starting to mature.
“He gave us a lot of thrills, going to the Kentucky Derby and finishing second and winning the Santa Anita Derby. He put me back in the classic spotlight. The saddest part is that we hadn’t even seen his full potential.”
Overall, Pioneerof the Nile won five of ten starts, including the 2009 Robert B. Lewis (G2) and San Felipe (G2) Stakes at Santa Anita, and earned $1,634.200.
“Bob was 100% convinced he was going to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1),” owner Ahmed Zayat said. “That was his target right after the Derby. All he wanted to do was keep him happy and healthy until then.”
No decisions have yet been made regarding where the colt will stand at stud.