'He took us to some amazing places'; Grade 1 winner Pavel retires

Grade 1 winner Pavel has retired to Ocean Breeze Ranch in Bonsall, Calif., where he'll stand for the rest of the 2020 breeding season, it was announced Friday.

A 6-year-old by Creative Cause, Pavel competed in some of the world's most lucrative races, among them the Breeders' Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup. He counted a victory in the 2018 Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs as a career highlight.

Doug O'Neill trained Pavel for Reddam Racing.

“He was a gorgeous yearling that we purchased to pinhook as a 2-year-old,” said Reddam Racing manager Dennis O'Neill. “He was good-sized, very athletic and very correct, he should be a great addition to California breeding. The week before the OBS sale, I told Zillah and Paul [Reddam] that this was a really special horse.”

Rather than enter the yearling purchase back in a sale as a 2-year-old, the Reddams kept Pavel, who went on to earn more than $2 million.

“He was a hard-knocking horse who ran his heart out in each of his races,” Paul Reddam said. “He took us to some amazing places and will always be one of my favorite horses."

In conjunction with the news on Pavel, Ocean Breeze Ranch announced that Square Eddie has been pensioned from stud duty.

“Square Eddie will always hold a special place in my heart,” Zillah Reddam said. “He will live a long and pampered life at Ocean Breeze Ranch. We are so proud of him and so thankful we were able to own him.”

Square Eddie has sired 17 stakes winners. Among them is Mrazek, who's Grade 3-placed and will take the stallion's place at Ocean Breeze.

Pavel will stand the remainder of 2020 and 2021 for a stud fee of $5,000. For each additional mare, the stud fee will be reduced to $3,000. Mrazek's fee is $2,500.