Fox and his wife, Shelley, purchased a 25% interest in Richter Scale before the 1998 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs. His original owners, Richard and Nancy Kaster, kept 75% ownership. First trained by Pat Byrne, then Bill Mott, Richter Scale's most recent trainer was Mary Jo Lohmeier, for whom he won the grade I de Francis Dash on July 15.
Richter Scale arrived at Wafare Farm near Midway, Ky., on Sept. 10, having been retired due to a tendon injury. Speaking from the Keeneland fall yearling sale Sept. 11, Wafare owner Nathan Fox said a stud fee would be announced soon for the 6-year-old son of Habitony -- Devine Pet, by Bel Bolide, who retires with 12 wins in 25 starts and earnings of $1,139,958.Richter Scale apparently hurt himself in the Forego Handicap (gr. II) on Aug. 30. Fox said some heat was discovered and a minor tendon tear found after an examination. "It's minor, but if we run him, the way he runs so hard, he could bow (the tendon). We're not going to jeopardize him."It had previously been announced Richter Scale would be retired to stand at Wafare in 2001.