Desert Blanc Retired With Tendon Injury

Desert Blanc, who won the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap by a nose on June 9, has been retired with a tendon injury, Peter Bradley, managing co-owner of Bradley Thoroughbreds, announced on Sunday.

Bradley, who owns Desert Blanc in partnership with Swift Thoroughbreds, Inc., Mackie Racing, and Vintage Thoroughbreds, said the 4-year-old emerged from the race in good order and galloped for three days before swelling was detected. It was then discovered the colt had a 20 percent tear of his left front superflexor tendon.

 “We’ll find a home for him for a stud career, although we were looking forward to running him the rest of the year,” said Bradley.

The Woodford Reserve Manhattan was the second North American start for Desert Blanc, who was second in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy on May 5 for trainer Chad Brown. In France, the son of Desert Style won a listed stakes and was Group 3 placed.

“[The Manhattan] was a very exciting race, and he showed he how game and tough he was,” Bradley said. “It’s the biggest hurt to lose a horse like this to an injury.”