The Pamplemousse retired, will stand in California

The Pamplemousse, who won two Grade 3 stakes in early 2009 but was later plagued with injuries, has been retired and will stand the 2011 breeding season at Rancho San Miguel in San Miguel, Calif.

According to Alex Solis II, a member of the partnership that campaigned The Pamplemousse, the colt was in training when he developed ankle problems.

“He wasn’t finishing as strong in his last two works,” said Solis, the son of the prominent jockey. “It was his ankles. There were no chips. There was some remodeling that was going on. We decided we didn’t want to take any chances.”

The Pamplemousse won 3 of 5 starts and $209,280 in a career highlighted by wins in the Grade 3 San Rafael Stakes and Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita in early 2009.

“My dad said he never had been on a horse that had that fast of a cruising speed and could carry it that far,” Solis said.

Those stakes wins made The Pamplemousse the expected favorite for the Santa Anita Derby that year, but he was withdrawn after he was found to have a lesion on a tendon.

The Pamplemousse returned to trainer Julio Canani’s stable in May and had 12 recorded works from Aug. 1 to Oct. 24 before he was taken out of training.

By Kafwain, The Pamplemousse will stand for $3,500.