Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Flute has been retired due to a small chip in one ankle. She is expected to return to her birthplace, Juddmonte Farms near Lexington, on Thursday. No breeding plans have been decided.
"If it's a normal horse you'd think nothing of it, take the chip out and bring her back (to racing)," said Juddmonte manager Garrett O'Rourke. "But we're at that time of year when we have the opportunity to get her bred and get an early foal out of her next year. It will be lovely to have her back. At the end of the day, it's better to be safe than sorry."Flute is with trainer Robert Frankel in California. Frankel apparently wasn't happy with the way the filly was moving and had an X-Ray taken, which revealed the chip. Prince Khalid Abdullah bred Flute in Kentucky from the Blushing Groom mare Rougeur. Flute is one of three Eclipse Award finalists for champion 3-year-old filly of 2001. She retires with a record of four wins in eight starts and earnings of $1,101,504.
Flute, winning the Kentucky Oaks.
