Persistent ankle issues the cause
Rombauer, who won the 2021 Preakness Stakes, has been retired according to a news release Monday from his co-owner, John Fradkin. The news was first reported by Claire Crosby of BloodHorse.
“We are very disappointed,” Fradkin said in the release. “We thought we were going to Dubai in March and would make a good showing, and then we were hoping to run him in the Pacific Classic (G1) later in the year. We were also looking forward to trying him back on turf. I actually think turf was his best surface and he could have been one of the better turf horses in the country.”
The colt, trained by Michael McCarthy, ran what would be his final race in last year’s Belmont Stakes, finishing third. After that race, the Twirling Candy colt was given 90 days off.
According to Fradkin’s release, that was due to ankle issues following the race. Fradkin said the issues persisted once he got back to the track, and after a bad step at Santa Anita while galloping on Friday, it was time to retire him.
“Winning the Preakness was of course a very high high as I did not expect to win that day. This is a pretty big low, but it’s not a tragic one,” Fradkin said. “Nobody died and Rombauer’s next job is going to be pretty fun for him. I mean they will be bringing the pretty girls to him.”
Fradkin said he felt the colt should be able to stand at a top Kentucky stud farm, but also acknowledged he could have some difficulty this season, as many mares already have plans.
Rombauer finished his career with three victories in eight races. He won on dirt in the Preakness after breaking his maiden on turf at Del Mar, and winning on Tapeta in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate.
He also finished second in the American Pharoah (G1), and Blue Grass Stakes (G2)
Rombauer was a homebred for John and Diane Fradkin, out of Cashmere, by Cowboy Cal. He racked up $1,040,500 throughout his career.
