Fan favorite Hot Rod Charlie is retired to stud in Japan
Hot Rod Charlie, the fan favorite who started in 15 graded stakes and won four of them, was sold to Shadai Farm in Japan, where he will stand at stud for the 2023 breeding season.
"It's been such a such an enjoyable, thrilling couple of years," co-owner Greg Helm of Roadrunner Racing told Horse Racing Nation on Tuesday.
Last seen finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic won by Flightline, Hot Rod Charlie took on plenty of challengers. He was second to Essential Quality in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the 2021 Belmont Stakes. He crossed the line third in the 2021 Kentucky Derby and was elevated to second with the disqualification of Medina Spirit.
"You know, it started pretty calmly," Helm said. "He didn't break his maiden until his fourth out. And then we had the surprise second in the Breeders Cup juvenile. And from then it's been like a rocket ship, although there's been a little bumpiness along the road with some disappointments here and there in, as most people know, various races. But the thrill of having my group and the Boat Racing group and Bill Strauss taking this journey with Charlie has been pretty amazing."
Before the Breeders' Cup, he beat 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike by a head in the Lukas Classic (G1), though not without controversy about whether his shoes were in violation, a claim denied by O'Neill.
Bought for $110,000 as a yearling, Hot Rod Charlie had a record of 19: 5-5-4 and earnings of $5,676,720.
"He was a spirited horse that wouldn't turn down a challenge anywhere," Helm said. "He always fought to the bitter end. Not always finishing first, but he was sure up there in contention in most every race."
He also won the 2021 Vox Populi award for popularity and excellence in racing.
"I think everybody just realized what a big heart he had and got behind him," Helm said.
Hot Rod Charlie will ship to Japan immediately, following quarantine protocols, according to a news release.
“Hot Rod Charlie was a phenomenal racehorse,” trainer Doug O’Neill said in the release. “He competed against the best of his generation and proved his class time and again. As a half-brother to champion sprinter Mitole, the sky's the limit. We look forward to following his stud career.”