Breeders' Cup Distaff Winner Adoration Retired

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Adoration, who was getting ready to defend her Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) title at Lone Star Park Oct. 30, will instead be retired after injuring her right front ankle. The ankle problem was discovered after the Honor Grades mare worked six furlongs in 1:13.1/5 at Hollywood Park Wednesday.

Bred in Kentucky by Lucy Bassett and owned by the Amerman Racing Stables of John and Jerry Amerman, Adoration shocked the racing world at Santa Anita last Oct. 25 at nearly 41-1, defeating a stellar field in the Distaff with a front-running tour de force. Trained by David Hofmans and ridden that day by Pat Valenzuela, Adoration scored by 4 1/2 lengths.

She proved that race was no fluke, however, as she returned as a 5-year-old in 2004 to win the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) and the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II). Adoration retires with eight victories from 20 starts and earnings of $2,051,160.

"She was the world's healthiest horse," said John Amerman, "as honest as the day is long, and she's been so good to us." Amerman added he planned to retire Adoration after the Oct. 30 Distaff. Adoration will go to the family's Peacefield Farm in Temecula, Calif., to be let down for awhile. Breeding plans have yet to be made.

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