Invasor retired following recurrence of old injury
Owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup winner will stand at his owner’s Shadwell Farm stud in Lexington.
The five-year-old was being prepared for the Suburban Handicap next weekend when McLaughlin realised all was not well.
“After he got his feet washed, he took a couple of bad steps and we called the vet immediately,” said McLaughlin.
X-rays revealed Invasor suffered a fracture at the top of his right-hind sesamoid – a bone in the ankle area he had previously injured.
“It’s a sad day in our game, but these things happen and he’ll go on to a career at stud,” McLaughlin said.
“It’s just a shame for our whole industry to lose such a great racehorse.
“He changed my life and enriched my family’s life.
“It was just a pleasure and an honour to train him. He’s obviously the best horse I’ll ever train and it was just a great feeling to go to the barn every morning and see him.”
Invasor won his first five races in Uruguay, including the Uruguayan Triple Crown, after which he was bought privately by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
On his first start for his new connections he finished fourth in the UAE Derby in Dubai, the only race he lost in his 12-race career.
His first start in the US saw him land the Grade One Pimlico Special Handicap, which provided the springboard for a blistering run of form.
Victories in the Suburban Handicap and the Whitney Handicap followed before a career-defining victory at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, in which he beat his great rival Bernardini by a length.
Yet another Grade One victory in the Donn Handicap followed before what was to be his final race – and probably his finest hour – at Nad Al Sheba, when he won the Dubai World Cup.
Invasor finished his career fourth on the list of all-time prize-money earners to have raced in North America.
“He’s done everything we’ve ever asked of him,” Rick Nichols, president and general manager of Shadwell Farm told www.thoroughbredtimes.com.
“This is a huge disappointment for all of us as well as for the racing world.”
