Trainer 'shocked' as Gronkowski traded to new stable

English trainer Jeremy Noseda announced Tuesday morning that Gronkowski and other horses campaigned by the Phoenix Thoroughbreds operation have been removed from his care.

“I am shocked and surprised by their decision,” Noseda said on his Twitter account. “I have no reason or explanation for the decision.”

According to Paulick Report, the horses will transfer from Noseda to top United States-based trainer Chad Brown.

It took a series of hard-luck events for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, a Dubai-based operation that has spared no expense so far in the sales ring, to miss entering a runner on Kentucky Derby weekend.

The promising Smarty Jones Stakes winner, Mourinho, broke down in a workout; unbeaten filly Dream Tree suffered a setback on her way to the Kentucky Oaks; and Gronkowski was removed from Kentucky Derby consideration due to an infection that prevented his travel.

Gronkowski has since been pointed to the Belmont Stakes which, of course, runs right in Brown’s backyard. Since his switch from turf to synthetic, the colt is 4-for-4, and would be making his dirt debut in the June 9 Belmont.

Noseda is a Breeders' Cup-winning trainer in his own right who has worked for Godolphin, went out on his own in California and is now based at Newmarket in England.