Grade 1 winner General Quarters retired

General Quarters, the two-time Grade 1 winner who made his septuagenarian owner-trainer one of the most popular Kentucky Derby stories of recent years, was retired Monday after finishing last of 13 in the Clark Handicap on Friday at his home track of Churchill Downs.

Tom McCarthy said General Quarters is not injured but that he was concerned about the lack of interest the 5-year-old horse had shown in his recent races.

“It’s time,” said McCarthy, 77. “He walked over there Friday like an old cow. Usually, he’s all full of vim and vigor, so maybe he’s telling us something. Funny, but he was kicking the barn down this morning [Monday]. He’s done enough for me, that’s for sure. He gave me one of the best times of my life, and I’ve been working with horses since I was 9.”