Mastery: A Star Gone too Quickly
Over the past few years, it seems we have had a good run of horses sticking around past their three-year-old season. California Chrome was a big one, racing until the end of his five-year-old season. Arrogate, who went from a complete unknown to a Travers and Breeders' Cup Classic winner in a few mere months, also stuck around for a four-year old campaign. In doing so, he’s shown us that he’s no one, or two race wonder, but quite possibly one of the greatest horses of all time.
Unfortunately, streaks only last for so long, and this streak was broken with the retirement of the brilliant, Bob Baffert trained Mastery.
A perfect 4-for-4 in his abbreviated career, Mastery gave every indication that he had what it took to dominate this group of three-year-olds. He backed up that indication with his fourth and final win, a scintillating nearly seven length victory in the San Felipe Stakes.
As soon as he hit the wire, Mastery flew to the top of every Kentucky Derby list faster than he ran in the race itself. Unfortunately, as quickly as he established himself the leading contender for the Kentucky Derby, he dropped even faster, after jockey Mike Smith abruptly pulled the colt up after the wire.
The X-rays taken soon after, revealed a condylar fracture in his right foreleg, and all but sealed his fate.
While the connections left the door open for a possible, but unlikely return, it was officially announced today, June 13, that Mastery would be retired to stand stud at Claiborne Farm.
Racing fans are used to disappointments, especially from injury and early retirements, but the sting of losing such an amazing talent so soon is never completely erased.
The potential for greatness was blatant in the son of Candy Ride. His Hall of Fame trainer saw it, as did the rest of the nation. He was blessed with brilliant speed, a great mind, and pedigree that looked perfectly tailored for classic success.
We may be used to the ups and downs of this turbulent sport, but that doesn’t mean we won’t miss a star that was sent to retirement much too soon. We will miss Mastery, and the potential that will be left unfilled.