Dornoch , a leading 3-year-old colt with impressive wins in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1), has been diagnosed with bone bruising, which will force him to miss his planned final start in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). As a result, Dornoch has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career at Spendthrift Farm next year, the farm announced Sept. 28.
"Dornoch's performance in the Travers really wasn't what we expected, and we just have not been happy with the way he's trained since," said trainer Danny Gargan. "We decided to have the vets go over him thoroughly before we started to really ramp up his works for the Breeders' Cup. That's when some bone bruising was discovered. The Breeders' Cup (Classic) was going to be his last race anyway, so, given the timing, the right thing to do is to retire him.
"Dornoch owes us nothing. He's the best horse I've ever trained, and our team is going to miss having him around the barn. But we are also excited about his future. He's going to a great place in Spendthrift, and I think Dornoch has a big chance to be a good sire," Gargan said.
The son of prominent third-crop sire Good Magic emerged as a top contender in the 3-year-old division after capturing consecutive victories in two of the most prestigious races this summer: the 1 1/4-mile Belmont Stakes run this year at Saratoga Race Course and the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. Earlier in the year, he also secured a win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
As a 2-year-old, Dornoch scored a maiden win at Keeneland before ending his season with a victory in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"We are very excited to have Dornoch join our stallion roster," said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift's general manager. "He's just a tremendous individual, with a pedigree and race record to match. Dornoch won a couple of major grade 1 races from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/4 miles this year. We believe he's the best 3-year-old we've seen from the Curlin line, and he really has all the makings of a special stallion prospect. We look forward to showing him off to our breeders in the near future."
Dornoch retires with career earnings of $2,427,275 for his owners: West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables. He is out of the Big Brown mare Puca and is a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage .
