Shanghai Bobby retired

Shanghai Bobby, last season's unbeaten two-year-old champion,

has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud

near Versailles, Kentucky.

The dark bay son of Harlan's Holiday sustained an injury to a suspensory

ligament while making a successful comeback in the September 20 Aljamin Stakes at

Belmont Park.

"It's very disappointing as he ran really well off

the layoff and we were looking forward to going back to Santa Anita with him for

the Breeders' Cup Sprint or the Dirt Mile," trainer Todd Pletcher said.

"He was a really great two-year-old,

undefeated in five starts over five different distances ranging from 4 1/2 furlongs

to 1 1/16 miles. He displayed his brilliant speed in the Hopeful and Champagne

and then showed tremendous courage to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile."

Shanghai Bobby opened his career with a four-length debut win at Aqueduct in

April 2012 and immediately stepped up to face stakes rivals in the Track Barron

next out at Belmont Park. The Kentucky-bred colt scored by a length in that 5

1/2-furlong contest, and proceeded to add the Hopeful and Champagne to his

resume prior to gutting out a head victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in his

two-year-old finale.

"We're disappointed as we

were looking forward to him returning to top level competition following his win

in the Aljamin Stakes," stated Jack Wolf, co-managing partner of part owner

Starlight Racing.

Shanghai Bobby suffered his first loss when runner-up in the Holy Bull while

making his sophomore bow on January 26. Pletcher decided to train his pupil up

to the Florida Derby two months later, but the colt finished a subpar fifth.

Soon after Shanghai Bobby was diagnosed with a slight pelvic stress fracture

and didn't make his return until the Aljamin a couple weeks back.

"This horse has taken us on a great adventure, from his

undefeated two-year-old campaign and Eclipse Award, to his successful return at

three," Wolf added.

"We are proud to have owned this special horse, and we wish him the best as he

begins his new career at Ashford."

"While it is unfortunate that

Shanghai Bobby won't be at Santa Anita again this year, we are delighted that

he's coming to Ashford," remarked said Dermot Ryan, manager of Ashford Stud. "Following Lookin

at Lucky, Uncle Mo and Hansen, he is

the fourth straight Eclipse Award-winning juvenile to retire here."

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