Horse of the Year Arravale Retired

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Photo: Benoit

Arravale was Horse of the Year in Canada in 2006.

Arravale, Canada’s Horse of the Year and champion grass mare in 2006, has been retired from racing. The 5-year-old daughter of Arch   finished fourth in the May 31 Nassau Stakes (Can-IIT) at Woodbine in her last start.

During her championship season at 3, Arravale won the E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT), Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT), and Alywow Stakes, also on grass. She placed in the American Oaks Invitational Stakes (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park and the Canadian Stakes (Can-IIT). At 2, she won the Natalma Stakes (Can-IIIT).

“We are very fortunate to own such a wonderful racehorse, who has given us so many priceless moments,” said owner Robert J. Costigan, who purchased Arravale for $190,000 at the 2004 Keeneland September yearling sale. “We would like to thank (trainer) Mac Benson and his team for doing a brilliant job with Arravale and for looking after her well-being. We are delighted and excited to see her begin her new career as a broodmare.”

Arravale retired with five wins from 15 races and earnings of $1,129,697.  She is out of the U.S. grade II stakes-placed Kaldoun mare Kalosca, who is a half-sister to two European stakes winners.

Bred in Kentucky by W. Bruce Lunsford, Arravale is scheduled to be sent to Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington, then to Ireland in the fall. Plans are to breed her to English stallion Pivotal next year.

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