Horse racing fans are in for another treat! On January 25, South Florida’s premier horse racing event, the Pegasus World Cup, will aim to satiate the community’s need for thrill. The G1 race comes with a prize money of $3 million and will feature 12 scintillating field runners. While the action will undoubtedly be sensational without a doubt, connoisseurs of the sport will nonetheless feel the absence of one celebrity at Gulfstream Park this Saturday.

Thoroughbred celebrity Señor Buscador, son of Mineshaft, has been a towering figure in the horse racing world. Since his debut race at Remington Park at the age of 2 in 2020, Señor Buscador has become known for his late-running style and has gone on to beat some of the fastest horses to the finishing line. The Peacock family homebred won the Saudi Cup, the richest horse racing event in the world, in 2024 and was poised to woo fans at the Pegasus World Cup this year. However, that’s not going to happen. But why?

The curtains drop on the career of the horse racing giant

At the 2024 Pegasus World Cup, Senor Buscador came in second, defeated marginally by National Treasure. But looking at his form in the months that followed, owner Joey Peacock Jr. noted his excitement about this year’s edition just days ago. However, after a disappointing workout session at Gulfstream Park on Sunday morning, Peacock revealed that Senor Buscador would retire to miss the Pegasus World Cup, and would instead head to Lexington to begin his stallion career. The official Saudi Cup X account posted on the platform on January 19, captioned, “Happy retirement, SENOR BUSCADOR!” and shared a video of the incredible victory of the 7-year-old horse from last year.

“Our team was not completely happy the way Senor Buscador came out of his work this morning. Senor, we will be forever grateful for the ride,” Peacock Jr. shared on social media. “We would never run a horse that is not 100% . Pegasus is out,” he announced. Buscador’s trainer Todd Fincher also confirmed the news and clarified to the Daily Racing Form that the post-workout scope led the team to make the decision.

Señor Buscador will take the exit from the horse racing stage with a 7-2-3 from 23 starts and has earned a total of $12,944,427 throughout his career. He also rides into the sunset with a long list of accolades under his belt, leaving horse racing fans with many fond memories.

Señor Buscador leaves the ground with an illustrious career

Buscador’s story is one of perseverance and breathtaking performances. Trained by Fincher, the horse was known in the horse racing community for his dramatic come-from-behind victories. After making his stakes debut on the Remington Springboard Mile in 2020, he dazzled on the international stage, culminating in a career-defining nose victory over Japanese star Ushba Tesoro in the 2024 Saudi Cup. Among his victories are also the 2022 Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs and the 2023 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. More feats include hitting the board in three G1 events.

With eight mares already purchased to breed for him, Peacock Jr. hopes his prized homebred will shine in his next chapter. However, no official stud deal has been signed yet. While it remains how the horse enjoys his life post-retirement, it’s not up for debate that the horse racing community will fondly remember him. What is your favorite Senor Buscador moment? Tell us in the comments below!