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Uncle Mo retired to stud

Uncle Mo was a star of the 2010 Breeders' Cup, but endured a star-crossed three-year-old campaign (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography) Last year's two-year-old champion Uncle Mo, who made a remarkable comeback from a liver disease before finishing 10th in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic, has been retired from racing. Owner Mike Repole had previously inked a deal for the colt to stand at Coolmore's North American arm, Ashford Stud, near Versailles, Kentucky. Uncle Mo was once again showing a higher elevation of the same enzyme -- gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) -- that ultimately preceded the diagnosis of cholangiohepatitis in the spring. At that time, the Todd Pletcher trainee had lost his appetite and appeared dull in training, prompting his withdrawal from the Kentucky Derby. The following message was posted in Uncle Mo's voice on the colt's Facebook page Monday: "Sorry guys…The results of the test were not what we were looking for. I feel good, I'm eating and my attitude is good but Uncle Mike, Uncle Todd and the doctors don't want me to get sick again like last time.

"Uncle Mike and Uncle Todd told me that I am one of the greatest two-year olds of all time and no matter what, I will always be an undefeated champion. I know I took you guys through some real highs and lows and an exciting roller coaster ride. Sorry that the ride ended quicker than we wanted. The roller coaster rides are a lot more fun, exciting and exhilarating than a merry-go-round.

"Even though I'm excited about going back to a farm and enjoying my days in a beautiful paddock, I'm going to miss my friends at the track. I don't really feel like I'm retiring…I just feel like I'm graduating from racing. Thanks for all your support! Let's stay in touch! Love Uncle Mo."

Uncle Mo was a scintillating juvenile, winning all three starts by large margins. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in his career debut on Travers Day at Saratoga, he spread-eagled the field by 14 1/4 lengths while speeding six furlongs in 1:09 1/5.

Uncle Mo was bet down to 1-5 favoritism next time in the Grade 1 Champagne, where he effortlessly shrugged off intense pace pressure and drew off by 4 3/4 lengths. His final time of 1:34 2/5 ranked as the joint-second fastest in the history of the historic test, along with 1977 Triple Crown legend Seattle Slew.

Making his two-turn debut in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, Uncle Mo showed a new dimension by stalking in second early. The 7-5 favorite then powered clear into the stretch to turn it into a procession. He had 4 1/4 lengths to spare over Grade 1 Hopeful winner Boys at Tosconova, who was a full six lengths clear of third.

Uncle Mo's brilliance beneath the Twin Spires fanned hopes that he would do the same on the first Saturday in May. Pletcher mapped out a two-prep campaign. After considering the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 12 for his return, he instead opted for a one-turn mile race on the same day at Gulfstream Park -- the Timely Writer.

Considering that Timely Writer was a top two-year-old of 1981 who tragically suffered a fatal breakdown in the 1982 Jockey Club Gold Cup, it was not a particularly felicitous race name for a horse like Uncle Mo. Although he rolled to a 3 3/4-length decision against overmatched opponents, and galloped out impressively, the misfortune would come later.

Uncle Mo was hammered into 1-10 favoritism for the Grade 1 Wood Memorial on April 9 at Aqueduct. He appeared to be traveling well while carving out steady fractions, but surprisingly didn't quicken entering the stretch. Floundering in deep stretch, he was passed by Toby's Corner and Arthur's Tale and wound up third.

Uncle Mo returned to Todd Pletcher's barn at Saratoga after convalescing at WinStar (NYRA/Tony Podlarski) In the aftermath of his loss, Uncle Mo was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal infection. He was treated with antibiotics and proceeded to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. When he came off his medication for Derby week, however, Uncle Mo went backwards. He was losing weight, his coat was off, and he didn't impress observers with his appearance. Speculation swirled that Uncle Mo would be scratched, and the announcement came on Oaks Day. Repole and Pletcher had come to the conclusion that Uncle Mo was not in good enough shape to contest the Derby. "I am very, very, very, very disappointed about this," Pletcher said during that press conference. "I don't think I've ever had a horse as good as Uncle Mo. We've had every resource to try to get this horse right, but we're not there. I take this as a personal failure. We just don't know what's wrong with this horse and it scares me. I feel very sorry for Mike."

Uncle Mo was sent to WinStar Farm near Versailles, Kentucky, to convalesce. He underwent extensive tests to try to pinpoint the problem, and finally, a biopsy of his liver and lymph nodes yielded a diagnosis in early June. Internists Dr. Bill Bernard, Dr. Doug Byars, and Dr. Tom Divers detected cholangiohepatitis, a severe inflammation of the bile passages and liver.

Regaining his health at WinStar, Uncle Mo began to gain weight and recover his lustrous coat. With his blood picture back to normal, he resumed galloping at WinStar.

There was no guarantee, however, that he would be able to return to his former level of performance. His connections wanted to give him a chance.

"It's a very wide-open division right now," Pletcher said in early July, "so somebody can take charge of it and finish up the year strongly and make a strong case.

"I've felt Uncle Mo is the best of his generation. Now we just have to come back and see if that's true or not."

Uncle Mo rejoined Pletcher at Saratoga later that month, and trained forwardly for his comeback in the Grade 1 King's Bishop on August 27. The betting public stuck with him as the even-money favorite, and though he didn't win the seven-furlong dash, he ran huge in defeat. Rallying from just off a torrid pace, Uncle Mo forged to the lead, but was nailed at the wire by Caleb's Posse, who would later go on to romp in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. In the course of his near-miss, Uncle Mo had thrown a shoe.

Uncle Mo was at his best in the Kelso, where he recorded a 117 BRIS Speed rating (Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos) Having shown that his illness had not compromised his ability, Uncle Mo aimed for the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap, over the same track and trip as his Champagne romp. He glided around the one-turn mile in the Belmont mud, leaving older Grade 1 winner Jackson Bend in his wake, in a sharp 1:33 4/5. Now Uncle Mo had another opportunity to travel 1 1/4 miles at Churchill, this time in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Some doubted his aptitude for the distance, both on pedigree and the fact that he was stretching out from a pair of one-turn races. Uncle Mo trained well at Belmont, but his final work at Churchill drew criticism. In a case of deja vu, there were questions about his physical condition when he skipped a day of training. While Uncle Mo silenced that talk with spirited gallops in the next days, he could not come up with an answer in the Classic itself. He stalked the pace, but was empty at the top of the stretch and faded. Regular rider John Velazquez told Daily Racing Form that the colt was struggling with the track.

Uncle Mo retires with $1,606,000 in earnings from a record of 8-5-1-1.

Bred by D. Michael Cavey, DVM, in Kentucky, the son of Indian Charlie was produced by the multiple stakes-placed Playa Maya, by Arch. Uncle Mo first sold for $160,000 as a Keeneland November weanling. Repole purchased him as a yearling at Keeneland September for $220,000.

Uncle Mo arrived at Ashford Monday afternoon. His stud fee has not yet been announced, but he can be viewed along with fellow new recruit Cape Blanco.

"Uncle Mo and Cape Blanco are two very special horses," Ashford's Dermot Ryan said. "We're thrilled to have them both here at Ashford and we hope breeders will avail of the opportunity to come and inspect them during our 'Open House' this week."

Ashford's Open House runs through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST). For more information, visit http://www.coolmore.com.  

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