Andrew Rosen announced Oct. 23 that his 4-year-old filly Icon Project, winner of the 2009 Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I), has been retired due to a tendon injury.
Purchased for $775,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale, Icon Project is a daughter of Empire Maker out of the grade I-winning mare La Gueriere. She retires with four wins and earnings of $660,965.
“It is a shame that Icon Project’s career ended so prematurely,” Rosen said. “She was a very nice horse on the grass, but when switched to the dirt she was electrifying, winning two of three starts, all graded stakes, each by 13 lengths. With her pedigree, conformation and class, I look forward to her career as a broodmare.”
Marty Wolfson said: “She was probably the best filly I have ever trained. The 114 Beyer Speed Figure she ran in the Personal Ensign showed how special and talented she was. I will miss training her.”
Icon Project, who raced as a 3-year-old in Europe, also won the New York Stakes (gr. III) in June at Belmont and was runner-up in the Delaware Handicap (gr. II) the following month. She was bred in Kentucky by Ronald Carter Family Trust.