Report: 'Devastating news' as Breeders' Cup heroine Iridessa retires
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Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Iridessa has been retired and sold to Japanese breeding interests.
Europe's Racing Post first reported the news regarding the 4-year-old daughter of Ruler of the World, who was retired after suffering an injury earlier this week.
A spokesman for owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez told European Bloodstock News, “Unfortunately, we received devastating news from Ireland on Thursday. Iridessa had struck into herself while in her box and caused damage to a tendon.
"It could have been a lot worse, but it is bad enough to put her out of action for a long time, possibly a year, and, even given a full recover."
Trainer Joseph O’Brien also said "it would be less than certain that she could regain her best form."
Regalado-Gonzalez said the breeding deal moved quickly, a bittersweet end to her career on track.
"We were hoping she would do to the boys what she did to the fillies last year," he said.
Iridessa was bred in Ireland by the O’Brien family under the Whisperview Trading banner and is out of Senta’s Dream, an unraced daughter of Danehill. Iridessa’s second dam, Starine, won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2002. Starine, who was owned and trained by the late Bobby Frankel, defeated such standouts as Banks Hill and Islington in that edition of the race, contested that year at Arlington Park.
Iridessa was a Group 1/Grade 1 winner during both her seasons of racing. As a juvenile, she captured the Fillies’ Mile (G1) and at age 3 she beat Magic Wand in the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) and Hermosa in the Matron (G1). She capped off her year with a win in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.
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