TGJB - I think you are correct to some extent but Smarty pretty much threw the rules out the window this year and was a genuine freak. This sounds like a very minor injury and more of an excuse than a reason to retire him. I think Jimbo is right on. It seems that the chances of ever seeing a great horse run beyond the TC may be remote at best.

In this case, the owner was well into retirement and not in the best of health (he almost had a heart attack when his horse won the Derby) and he still cannot resist the lure of big money for an early exit to the breeding shed.

I cannot say I blame him (or anyone else) but it sure takes something away from the sport. Imagine if the top stars in other sports all retired after just one brilliant rookie season...

Chris