Graded Winner Rare Gift Retired

Rare Gift, a New York graded stakes winner, has been retired from racing after suffering an injury during a third-place finish in the June 18 Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs. First, second, or third in a dozen of 14 starts, the 4-year-old daughter of Unbridled's Song is booked to A.P. Indy for 2006.

Bred by Joseph Allen, Rare Gift won three starts and earned $292,078 for owners George Bolton, David DiPietro, and Roger Honour. She captured last year's Ladies Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct and placed in seven career stakes, including six graded events. Other than the Fleur de Lis, her 2005 stakes-placings came in the Sixty Sails (gr. III), Next Move (gr. III), and Rare Treat Handicaps. She was trained by John Kimmel.

Bolton bought Rare Gift for $330,000 at the 2002 Saratoga yearling sale from Lane's End, agent. Rare Gift's dam, Rare Blend (by Bates Motel), was a grade II winner.