Augustin's Rochester, Latice Retired

(from Calder notes)
The venerable 10-year-old gelding Rochester and the 2004 French Oaks (Fr-I) winner Latice, both owned by Augustin Stable, have been retired, according to trainer Jonathan Sheppard.

"He's sound," Sheppard said of Rochester on Saturday morning. "He ran well in a couple of races this year, although he didn't win. He's been a very nice horse, but has done enough. I just sent him home to the farm (in Pennsylvania where he was bred by George Strawbridge Jr.)."

A three-time grade III winner who began his racing career in France in 1998, Rochester was nominated for the $200,000 W.L. McKnight Handicap (gr. IIT) over 1 1/2 miles at Calder Race Course Dec. 16.

"I think we'll try him at fox-hunting," Sheppard said. "He's been a wonderful horse."

A son of Green Dancer, Rochester posted a record of 51-11-11-5 for earnings of $1,211,266. Always at his best at 12 furlongs, he finished third behind Wicklow Man in the 2002 McKnight.

Sheppard also nominated Augustin's 5-year-old mare Latice for the $200,000 La Prevoyante Handicap (gr. IIT) on the same day, but she, too, has been retired, he said. In her most recent race, Latice finished ninth in the April Run at Laurel Park Nov. 25.

"She came out of her last race bleeding from the sole of one of her feet and was lame. With what she accomplished, it was best to send her home to be a broodmare."

Latice is an Irish-bred daughter of Inchinor and posted a career record of 18-6-3-2 for earnings of nearly $800,000. Latice won the first four starts of her career in France, including the French Oaks (Prix Diane) as a 3-year-old. She finished seventh in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (gr. IT) behind Bago later that season, beaten only four lengths for it all.

Although winning only two of 11 starts in North America, Latice ran well in a number of major events. She lost a half-length decision when second in the 2005 E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-I) at Woodbine to Honey Ryder, and was runner-up to Film Maker in the All Along Breeders' Cup (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs this summer.