Stormy Liberal retired after all; owner emphasizes 'transparency'

Stormy Liberal, the 2018 turf champion and two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, has retired, owner David Bernsen announced Wednesday  after an evaluation of the 7-year-old gelding revealed previously undiagnosed physical issues.

A statement from Bernsen says Stormy Liberal “has full thickness cartilage defects” in his fetlocks that “present a significant risk for future athletic soundness.” Because the issue would result in at least six to eight months of time out of training, Bernsen is sending Stormy Liberal to Old Friends farm in Georgetown, Ky.

"I feel it is important for the industry and the welfare of all racehorses to provide some transparency as to the process involved," said Bernsen, who detailed the last few months of Stormy Liberal's career in his statement, which can be read in full below.

"...Myself and Gary Hartunian of Rockingham Ranch are immensely grateful to have been able to race such a magnificent horse, and hope his retirement to Old Friends will benefit all retired horses."

Stormy Liberal’s future became a matter of public debate last week when trainer Peter Miller issued a statement saying he disagreed with the decision to race on after a season in which the son of Stormy Atlantic went winless in seven races, finishing eighth in the 2019 Turf Sprint, his final start.

Bernsen moved to purchase Stormy Liberal outright from partner Rockingham Ranch and had him sent to Florida for further evaluation. The owner said his relationship with Miller “eroded,” and that the trainer “never mentioned retirement of the horse until (Dec. 9) after he was informed the horse was being removed from his barn that afternoon.”

A former claim by Miller and Rockingham Ranch, Stormy Liberal finished his career with wins in 12 of 37 races and compiled earnings surpassing $2.2 million. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint completed a string of four straight victories capping an Eclipse Award-winning campaign.

Bernsen's statement: