Benny the Bull retired again

Benny the Bull, the champion sprinter of 2008 who attempted a comeback in 2009 after initially being retired, has been retired again, his connections announced Friday.

Greg James, the original owner of Benny the Bull, has purchased the horse back from IEAH Stables, Andrew Cohen and the Pegasus Holdings Group and Sanford Robbins and is currently attempting to finalize stallion plans, according to a press release. James sold the horse to IEAH and Cohen after Benny the Bull won the Iowa Sprint Handicap in 2007, though he retained an interest in the colt.

In 2008, Benny the Bull went 4 for 4, winning the Sunshine Millions Sprint, Dubai Golden Shaheen, True North, and the Smile Sprint Handicap. He suffered a chip in his right front ankle training up to that year's Grade 1 Forego and was subsequently retired. In January, on the night he was awarded the Eclipse Award as champion sprinter, his connections announced he would be coming out of retirement.

Benny the Bull raced three times in 2009, finishing second to Fabulous Strike in the True North on Belmont Stakes Day, second in the Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder in July, and fourth in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt at Saratoga in August, his final career start. Benny the Bull, a 6-year-old Florida-bred son of Lucky Lionel, had a career record of 9 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 20 starts and earned $2,353,430.