NEW YORK, (Reuters) – I’ll Have Another was retired from racing after suffering a freak injury on the eve of Saturday’s $1 million Belmont Stakes, ending his bid to win the elusive Triple Crown of American thoroughbred racing.
The colt’s owner said the horse had a swollen left front tendon after a morning workout and while it was not considered life-threatening, J. Paul Reddam was not prepared to risk any further damage and will retire I’ll Have Another to stud.
“He’s not lame, he could have run,” Reddam said. “But if he can’t compete at the top level, he’s done enough. History is going to have to wait for another day.”
I’ll Have Another’s withdrawal is a devastating blow for America’s struggling race industry, which has been waiting 34 years for another Triple Crown winner.
More than 100,000 people were expected to flock to Belmont Park to watch the race live while millions more were expected to watch on television.
I’ll Have Another’s trainer Doug O’Neill said the three-year-old looked fine after a final workout early Friday but his leg started to swell after he cooled down and scans revealed the early onset of tendonitis.
“This is the beginning of a tendon. Could he run and compete? Yes. But would it be in his best interests? No,” O’Neill said.
“This is extremely tough for all of us. Though it’s far from tragic, no one died or anything like that, it’s extremely disappointing and I feel so sorry for the whole team.”
I’ll Have Another, a flashy chestnut colt with a powerful finishing burst, won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in his last two starts and was attempting to become just the 12th horse, and first since Affirmed in 1978, to complete the treble.
Eleven horses have won the first two legs since Affirmed only to fail at the last hurdle.
