Rapid Redux will spend retirement at Kentucky Horse Park

Rapid Redux, a winner of a modern United States record 22 straight races, has been retired and is being shipped this week to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

Owner Robert Cole Jr. said at the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico on Thursday that after trying for months to get the 6-year-old gelding ready to race again, he decided that enough was enough.

“He’s perfect right now, and we want him to stay that way,” said Cole. “Why risk having him get beat?”

Cole claimed Rapid Redux for $6,250 at Penn National in October 2010 and turned him over to Maryland-based trainer David Wells. Rapid Redux won two races to end the year, then went a perfect 19 for 19 while remaining eligible for starter-allowance conditions in 2011 before winning his final career start on Jan. 4 of this year. His 22-race streak broke the former record of 19 held by Pepper’s Pride and Zenyatta. His feats earned him a Special Eclipse Award for 2011.

After his last race, Cole announced the gelding was battling a chronic foot injury and that he would attempt to campaign him again only if the horse returned perfectly sound. He confirmed at the Alibi Breakfast that Rapid Redux was “not quite the same horse” for racing purposes but the gelding was otherwise healthy and happy.

Rapid Redux will join other famous retirees at the Horse Park, including Cigar and Funny Cide.[bc_playlist_id:241346:]