After Saturday injury in N.Y., Anarchist has surgery, is retired

Two-time graded-stakes winner Anarchist, who was hurt and pulled up racing Saturday in the Belmont at Aqueduct meet, has been retired with the expectation he will recover fully from Sunday surgery.

“The prognosis for a long and happy life off the racetrack is good,” trainer Doug O’Neill wrote in a Saturday night post on X.

Click here for Belmont at Aqueduct entries and results.

Anarchist was scheduled to have his operation at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists in New York.

O’Neill said Anarchist injured his right-front leg in the Grade 3 John A. Nerud Stakes in New York. According to the Equibase race chart, the 6-year-old entire by Distorted Humor got hurt approaching the half-mile pole in the six-furlong race on the fast main track.

“(Anarchist) was quickly placed to a protective hold and expertly guided outside and pulled up near the outside fence,” the chart said, “then got vetted on the track and was transported off the course via equine ambulance.”

O’Neill praised Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario for his handling of the horse owned by Angelo Freda’s Ilium Stables.

“We are extremely grateful for Joel Rosario,” O’Neill wrote. “He displayed incredible horsemanship in getting Anarchist pulled up so quickly. We also greatly appreciate the (New York Racing Association) veterinary staff for their immediate response.”

Anarchist, who won the 2023 Jacques Cartier (G3) at Woodbine and the 2023 Pat O’Brien (G2) at Del Mar, finished his career with a record of 19: 3-7-2 with earnings of $623,578. He was bought for $75,000 at the September 2020 Keeneland yearling sale.

“We are also grateful to Anarchist’s owner Angelo Freda for always putting the health and safety of Anarchist first,” O’Neill wrote.