Blings Express retired to riding facility at age 11

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Blings Express, an 11-year-old gelding who finished seventh in an $8,000 claiming race here Jan. 16, has been retired to a new career, co-owner Rich Averill reported last week.

Blings Express, a gray Florida-bred, won 23 of 83 starts and earned $518,898. Averill claimed him with CCF Racing at Tampa Bay Downs in March 2016, becoming the 10th and last ownership entity to campaign him.

“There was talk of maybe running him for $5,000, but I said, ‘No, he’s done enough,’ ” Averill said. “He left last week for M&M Stables, a riding camp in Davie. He retired sound, doing just fine, and deserved a good home.”

Blings Express began his career in June 2011 at Calder Race Course and became a productive sprinter, running in the occasional unlisted stakes while mostly competing in starter allowances as an older horse.