Grand Couturier retired

GRAND COUTURIER (GB) (Grand Lodge), winner of three Grade 1 races on The New York Racing

Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit, and earner of nearly $1.5 million, was

retired Thursday, according to trainer Bobby Ribaudo.

"We were getting ready to go to Canada a few weeks ago, and his ankle

flared up," Ribaudo said. "Although the tests are now fine, we didn't

think it would be worth the risk of continuing to race him."

Owned by Marc Keller, the seven-year-old was one of

the most successful long-distance turf horses ever on the NYRA circuit,

winning back-to-back editions of the Sword Dancer Invitational

(G1) at Saratoga (2007-08) and taking the Joe Hirsch Turf

Classic Invitational (G1) (2008) at Belmont Park by an astounding 10 1/4

lengths. He also won the Bowling Green H. (G2) (2009) at

Belmont Park.

"He lived and trained in New York for the last five years," Ribaudo

said. "Marc and I are New York guys and we wanted to run him here as

much as possible. The Belmont oval in particular really suited his

breathtaking come-from-behind style."

The trainer added that, for him, the biggest thrill of Grand Couturier's

career was his first Sword Dancer triumph.

"That race was simply incredible," he said. "Not only the way that he won,

but the fact that he beat English Channel, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup

Turf (G1) and be named turf champion that year."