Big Band Sound, a grade II winning son of Bernstein, has been retired, announced Richard Schultz of Ocala, Fla., who owns the horse with Kendel D. Standlee. Trained by Danny Vella at Woodbine, the bay horse returned from his morning gallop Aug. 19 with a minor injury to his ankle.
Though Big Band Sound's injury was improved by the following day, the owners opted to retire the 6-year-old for stallion duty rather than risk any further damage.
Last year, the bay horse captured Woodbine's Play the King Stakes (gr. IIT) and finished second in four other stakes at the Ontario oval including the King Edward Stakes presented by TVG (gr. IIT), the Connaught Cup Stakes (gr. IIT), and the Vigil Stakes (gr. III). He retires with five wins and earnings of $402,560.
Bred in Kentucky by Schultz out of the Seeking The Gold mare, Ensnare, Big Band Sound is a half brother to stakes winner Silver Prospector, stakes placed Roman's Run, and graded-stakes producer Titan Queen.
Currently being let down on a farm in Ontario, breeding plans for Big Band Sound have not yet been finalized.
