Despite a Successful Equestrian Career Worth $1,591,857, Popular Equine Retires With an Upsetting Note

Equestrian is a sport that has captivated the hearts of many. Along with the jockeys, their equine partners also become equally famous, and many of them establish themselves as some of the best in the equestrian business. Some days are good for these magnificent creatures, and some days can be disappointing, but the most important thing is that these are the ones who made this sport so popular. And, when there is finally the time to ‘call it a career’, it just breaks everyone’s heart.

One such legend equine is saying goodbye to the equestrian world, and it is none other than the 2-year-old filly, Wonder Wheel, whose career is worth more than $1.5 million, out of which $41,000 came in 2023, and who was the Eclipse Champion in 2022. But her time has come to bid adieu to the sport, and the reason is heartbreaking.

An Equestrian Pro Leaves the Arena

As reported by DRF, Wonder Wheel has been one of the best 2-year-olds on the track for the past few years, but the last year has been really hard on her and her owners. She is retiring this month and will be sold as a broodmare at the Fasig-Tipton November sale. This decision was made months after she injured her ankle. Though she was treated and given all the medications, there has been no improvement. Prior to her injury, Wonder Wheel was doing wonders for her owner, DJ Stable, and trainer, Mark Casse. She won four out of five starts in 2022, and she clinched the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs in her second start.

Talking about Wonder Wheel, John Green, the General Manager of DJ Stables, stated, “Wonder Wheel has been battling a couple of minor issues since her 2-year-old year.” On her condition, he further added, “She had bone bruising and a minor ankle injury. We gave her some time off and did a little procedure on her ankle to take care of a flake. Unfortunately, because she is a 17-hand beast, she continued to have some bone bruising, and the same ankle has been an issue. This week, we decided that because she would need some time before we could run her again, we’d pull the plug on her racing career.” These statements are proof of how determined and dedicated she was, but also, taking the seriousness of her injury into consideration, it’s pretty clear that she was struggling with her leg and that her career is finally over after an illustrious career.

The Eminent Career and the Last Ride

In her career stats, Wonder Wheel, in 9 starts, had 4 firsts, 1 second, earned a whopping $1,591,857. In 2023, she had 1 second in 4 starts and had earned approximately $42,000. She finished second in Grade-I Spinaway at Saratoga, and then she topped Grade-I win twice at Keeneland itself, and then she finally became divisional champion, taking away the Alcibiades and the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies. Despite doing so well in the past, her 2023 season didn’t go too well for her.

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She started this season by finishing second in the Suncoast Stakes in Florida, but this was her best race this season, and she never came back to her old form. She finished sixth in Grade I at Keeneland and ninth in the Kentucky Oaks. Her last race came on July 1st, when she finished eighth in Grade-III Selene at Woodbine.

After an impressive career marked by significant victories and earnings, Wonder Wheel, the exceptional 2-year-old, leaves the equestrian arena with an abundance of love and respect from the equestrian community.

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