Dual graded stakes winner Kathmanblu, a 4-year-old daughter of Bluegrass Cat , has been retired from racing.
Co-owner Dr. William Dobozi, who raced Kathmanblu under the name Five D Thoroughbreds in partnership with Wind River Stables, said the filly had suffered from a recurring mild liver inflammation that prevented her from consistently performing at a high level of racing.
He confirmed that Kathmanblu will be consigned to this year's Keeneland November breeding stock sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
Trained by Kenny McPeek, Kathmanblu recorded her biggest victory as a 2-year-old in the Golden Rod (gr. II) at Churchill Downs. At 3, she scored consecutive triumphs in the Sweetest Chant Stakes on turf at Gulfstream Park and the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
After finishing third in the 2011 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, Kathmanblu contested the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), where she finished sixth. During her career, Kathmanblu placed in three other graded stakes: the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IIT), the 2011 Woodford Reserve Lake Placid (gr. IIT), and the April 20 Hillard Lyons Doubledogdare (gr. III).
Kathmanblu’s career record stands at 5-3-2 from 18 starts, with earnings of $584,327.
"Kenny told me, 'Horse racing is like a wave. You rode the wave on the upside for all that time and the wave has finally come in; it’s time to quit,'" said Dobozi. "On the farm, she sees all those mothers with their babies and she instinctively wants to be a mother. She’s gorgeous, she’s 1,000 pounds, and she’s happy as a clam. She just doesn’t want to run anymore."
Dobozi still owns Kathmanblu’s stakes-placed dam Abba Gold, who is the only member of his broodmare band. He plans to eventually race the daughter of Devil’s Bag’s youngest offspring: a yearling City Zip filly named Ziptomylu and a full sister to Kathmanblu, who was born April 9.
Kathmanblu
Mathea Kelley