NEWS
Sesamoid injury curtails Paddy O’Prado’s career
Posted: Monday, May 23, 2011 12:04 PM
Paddy O'Prado
PhotosByZ.com/Thoroughbred Times
Grade 1 winner Paddy O’Prado has been retired after a sesamoid injury was discovered following his victory in the Dixie Stakes (G2) on May 21.
Stud plans have not been decided for the four-year-old El Prado (Ire) colt out of Grade 2 winner Fun House, by Prized.
Paddy O’Prado rallied to win the Dixie by 1 1/2 lengths at 3-to-5 odds in his first start since a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The chart comment for the Dixie noted that he drifted in at the three-sixteenths pole, and he exhibited lameness in the test barn after the race.
“Today is bittersweet,” said trainer Dale Romans, who also captured the Preakness Stakes (G1) about an hour after the Dixie with Shackleford. “Paddy returned to training like a big gray monster, and we thought we were sitting on the Horse of the Year but now he will be able to go on and be a champion sire.”
Last year, Paddy O’Prado registered victories in the Secretariat Stakes (G1), Virginia Derby (G2), Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (G2), and Palm Beach Stakes (G3) and finished second in two Grade 1 races and third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
“It takes a special horse to win or place in Grade 1 races on all three surfaces,” Romans said.
Jerry Crawford’s Donegal Racing partnership owns Paddy O’Prado, who has won five of 14 starts and earned $1,721,297.
"We are very disappointed today to see Paddy's career end so suddenly," Crawford said. "This is what is best for Paddy; he will make a full recovery and embark on the next stage of his career. The thrills that he has given us are priceless and we were so proud and honored to share them with family, friends and fans in Iowa and around the country."
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Beth, Hampton, VA on May 26, 2011 at 02:04 PM
I saw Gio Ponti, Battle of Hastings, and Paddy O'Prado all run in Virginia. Paddy has charisma. He is the total look. I will really miss him. Has anybody ever said exactly what he did? I know that it is publicized as a "sesamoid injury" but that covers a lot of territory.
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Posted by: DBH, Schenectady, NY on May 23, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Breaks my heart......I think he would have been a horse of the year candidate myself !
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Posted by: JR, Destin, FL on May 23, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Those two nice colts flew back to Louisville together the next day. They knew they planted the flag at Pimlico!! Paddy is going to have it made!
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Posted by: animal kingdom lover, horseland, IL on May 23, 2011 at 05:36 PM
i bet he will make a great,great stallion! im looking forward to his new career!:)
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Posted by: Ida , Candler, NC on May 23, 2011 at 05:11 PM
I can't believe I'm losing Paddy. This is my beautiful, talented equine love and now he's hurt and I'm devastated that he's been retired and I won't see him run again. I can't stand it. I think I'll go home and cry my eyes out.
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