Grade I Star Southern Image Retired

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Southern Image, one of the top older runners of 2004, has been retired from racing because of soreness in his cannon bones, according to Daily Racing Form.

The 5-year-old son of Halo's Image had not started since June of last year and had been in training only a short time this year before the announcement was made by trainer Michael Machowsky.

Bred in Florida by Arthur I. Appleton, Southern Image won three of his four starts last year. Racing for Blahut Stables, Kagele Brothers, and Josh and Allen Tepper, Southern Image started his 2004 campaign with a triumph in the Barretts/CTBA Classic Stakes at Santa Anita, then took the Santa Anita (gr. I) and Pimlico Special (gr. I) Handicaps. In his final start, he finished a nose behind Colonial Colony in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) that June at Churchill Downs.

Southern Image, who was produced from the Dixieland Band mare Pleasant Dixie, scored an earlier grade I win in taking the 2003 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita. He retired with six wins from eight starts and earnings of $1,843,750 in three years of racing.

Machowsky as agent bought Southern Image for $300,000 at the 2002 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company March sale of 2-year-olds in training from Appleton's Bridlewood Farm.

Breeding plans are undecided.

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