Miller against racing Stormy Liberal, who will go to new trainer

HRN Staff
Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

Trainer Peter Miller has recommended retirement for champion turf horse Stormy Liberal, but the gelding will race on -- just for another barn -- according to an announcement Tuesday morning from Miller's operation.

"I am sorry to announce that Stormy Liberal will be leaving our barn to continue racing under another trainer," Miller said in a statement. "Both my veterinarian and I believe the horse should be retired. In fact, we had already started inquiring for him to retire to Old Friends so he could live out his days in comfort and good care, and allow visitors to enjoy him up close. 
"It is very rare to claim a horse for $40,000, win two Breeders’ Cup races and earn the prestigious Eclipse Award. It is my professional opinion that he has given and accomplished enough. While the owners certainly have every right to make these choices, and I respect that, I would like the record to show that I was not in favor of this decision. 
 

"Stormy has been very special to our team, and to me. We will miss him and hope for the best."

Stormy Liberal, who runs for the partnership of Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen, was last seen finishing eighth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park. He shows two timed works since then at the San Luis Rey training center, Miller's base, most recently on Nov. 23.

A 7-year-old by Stormy Atlantic, Stormy Liberal finished his 2018 season with four straight wins, including a second straight score in the Turf Sprint. But he lacked the same kick this year; while on the board in five of seven starts, he didn't win.

Miller's announcement did not indicate to whom Stormy Liberal will be transferred. Immediate attempts to reach Rockingham Ranch's head, Gary Hartunian, were unsuccessful, but the group later posted an update to its Twitter account.

"Our partner Mr. Bernsen had a difference of opinion with Mr. Miller and has chosen to buy Rockingham Ranch out of Stormy Liberal," the statement reads, adding that Stormy Liberal will be "thoroughly evaluated" in Ocala, Fla.

RELATED: Bernsen issues a response to Miller's statement

In an interview with the BloodHorse, Hartunian expanded upon that, saying, "Peter wanted to retire him and I wanted to retire, but I have full confidence that David will do the right thing by the horse. He is a great guy. It wasn't the storybook ending that I would like to have seen but it was about my partner wanting to get an evaluation of the horse other than what Peter had said. David will do the right thing by the horse." 

Miller trains a number of horses for Rockingham Rand and Bernsen. Roy H, the two-time champion sprinter, campaigns for those two, as does Wrecking Crew, a Grade 1-placed juvenile who competed in last Saturday's Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

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