(Edited press release)
It was announced March 24 that 2007 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner and 2007 champion 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches has been retired from racing and will head to Ashford Stud where she will be bred to champion sire Giant's Causeway .
In 2007, Rags to Riches made history when she became only the third filly to win the Belmont Stakes, and the first to do so in 102 years. Rags to Riches outdueled eventual 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in a breathtaking stretch run to capture the third leg of the Triple Crown. She had five wins from six starts in 2007 and amassed career earnings of $1,340,028. In January, she was honored with the Eclipse Award for outstanding 3-year-old filly of 2007.
Rags to Riches was sidelined last September after suffering a hairline fracture to her right front pastern during the running of the Gazelle Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park. She returned to Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher's barn at Palm Beach Downs earlier this year where she resumed training.
"She has re-injured her right front pastern, and because of the timing, the decision was made to retire her as opposed to trying to bring her back in the fall," said Pletcher from Palm Beach Downs. "It's a sad day for racing and all of her fans. She will go down in the history books as one of the best fillies ever to run. With the tremendous family that she comes from, she should make a terrific broodmare. We are excited for her and the prospects that lie ahead."
By leading sire A.P. Indy, Rags to Riches is out of the grade II-winning Deputy Minister mare Better Than Honour. A $1.9 million Keeneland Sepetember sale yearling, Rags to Riches is a half-sister to 2006 Belmont winner Jazil (by Seeking the Gold).
The Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith-owned filly will leave Palm Beach Downs March 24 and travel to Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., where she will be bred to the Tabor and John Magnier owned-stallion Giant's Causeway .
"She is a lovely mare and we feel she will cross with him very well," said Tabor.
Giant's Causeway is a son of Storm Cat who has sired more than 40 stakes winners. He has a career record of nine wins from 13 starts and $5,511,944 in total earnings.