Queen’s Plate heroine Holy Helena retired from racing

Stronach Stables’ homebred Holy Helena, winner of the 2017 Queen’s Plate, has been retired from racing and has arrived at Adena Springs Farm in Kentucky.

The news was announced via Adena Springs’ Facebook page on Sunday, with the caption "The great Holy Helena has been retired from racing and is ready to begin her career as a broodmare!"

Holy Helena was bred in Ontario and is by Ghostzapper out of Holy Grace, a winning daughter of Holy Bull. Holy Grace is also the dam of Grade 2 winner Holy Boss.

Holy Helena broke her maiden in her second start in May 2017. She then made a successful jump into stakes company, rattling off back-to-back wins in both the Woodbine Oaks and Queen’s Plate. She took home a Sovereign Award that season as Canadian Champion 3-year-old filly.

As a 4-year-old in 2018, Holy Helena captured the Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G2) and the The Very One Stakes (G3). This year she defended her title in The Very One and added a victory in the Dance Smartly (G2) Stakes. Her final start was in the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) at Woodbine on Oct. 12, when she finished fifth. 

She was retired with an 8-3-2 record from 20 starts and earnings of $1,330,018.

Breeding plans have not been announced.