Distaff Winner Round Pond Injured, Retired

Round Pond, winner of the 2006 Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I), has been retired after suffering a slab fracture of her left knee during the running of the April 7 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park.

The 5-year-old daughter of Awesome Again   finished third in her final start behind Ermine and Take D’ Tour.

“Round Pond arrived in Lexington on a flight from Oaklawn this morning,” owner Rick Porter said April 9 on his Fox Hill Farms Web site. “She was X-rayed and we discovered the fracture. I have decided to retire her effective immediately. (Trainer) Michael Matz is setting up an appointment with Dr. Larry Bramlage to look at the radiographs and determine if she needs surgery. It is not displaced. We will know more as soon as I speak with Dr. Bramlage.

Round Pond, who is out of the Trempolino mare Gift of Dance, and was bred by John Toffan and the late Trudy McCaffery, retires with seven victories, two seconds, and three thirds from 13 starts and earnings of $1,998,700. She was purchased on behalf of Porter by his former trainer, John Servis, for $105,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale from the Mill Ridge Sales consignment.

In addition to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, she captured the Acorn (gr. I), Fantasy (gr. II), Azeri Breeders’ Cup (gr. III), and Honeybee Stakes.

In the Apple Blossom, she tracked the early pace, but had no punch in the stretch, beaten 5 1/2 lengths.

“She was a ‘one of a kind’ filly,” Porter said. “I just wish she had received the Eclipse Award crowning her as a champion. Looking back at her career, she never was beaten when she didn’t have a problem except for her maiden race. She chipped her knee in the Delaware Oaks (gr. II). She had been tying up and missed training before both the Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup (gr. II) and the Beldame (gr. I). She tied up a couple days before the Rampart (gr. II), and fractured her knee in the Apple Blossom. She is an awesome filly. She is better than most people realize. I think she was one of the greatest. She has that great determination, toughness, and heart. I will never forget those fantastic races she ran. I will miss her racing days.”

Round Pond is a half-sister to stakes winner Tropical Wave (by With Approval) and her dam is a half-sister to Irish champion Black Minnaloushe, French champion Pennekamp, grade I winner Nasr El Arab, and stakes winner Shaal.