“Will Miss Him”: Horse Racing World’s Grade I Kentucky Derby Winner Announces Retirement

In a stunning turn of events, the winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) has bowed out of the racetrack leaving behind the cheering crowd around the tracks. A momentous career change was announced as he opted to remain connected to the industry. It means an intriguing divergence from previous tournament intentions, which happened at the spur of the moment on November 27.

A few weeks ago, everyone in the horse racing world was excited about the possibility of seeing the amazing horse entering the 2024 season. While the anticipation met a dead end, an update highlighted his continued commitment.

Horse racing sensation leaves dirt ground for another role

Just when the racing community was awaiting Kentucky Derby champion Maze for the Pegasus World Championship @WHR shared a tweet of him opting to take a beautiful trip into stallionhood. It was captioned, “HAPPY RETIREMENT MAGE! We will miss him when he joins @AirdrieStud for the 2024 breeding season.“

Mage was ridden by the experienced father-son duo of Gustavo Delgado and Gustavo Delgado Jr. After the announcement his trainer, Gustavo Delgado Sr. said, “It is time for him to begin his next career and we look forward to winning the big races with his sons and daughters in the years ahead. He will not be a good sire, he will be a great sire.” 

Mage’s retirement home, Airdrie’s Bret Jones also spoke highly of him, saying: “Not only were they(Mage and team) able to win the Kentucky Derby less than 100 days after his career debut, but I really believe they put together the strongest season that any 3-year-old colt had this year.” Moreover, the three-year-old thoroughbred has more remarkable feats to his name than the Derby title.

Kentucky Derby winner’s career highlight

Notably, Justify and Apollo are the only horses in the history of racing, apart from Mage, to have won the Derby without having started their careers as 2-year-olds.  Although his breakthrough performance happened after a closely contested race in the Florida Derby (G1), Mage won the Derby after participating in just three races!

READ MORE “Honestly Thought That This Was True”: Equestrian Once Cleared Misconceptions on Strength of Different Colored Horses

The significance of Mage’s victory is also highlighted by his purse value this year totaling $2.5 million. The win amount is only surpassed by the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner, White Abarrio from the North American runners. With a staggering purse value and remarkable experience, Mage is set to enter another chapter marked by his relentless pursuit of greatness.

Watch this story Turning to Formula 1 Girl Mark Wahlberg’s Equestrian Daughter Discloses Her Race Ambitions