Cavorting retired to breeding shed

ELMONT, N.Y. – Cavorting, a three-time Grade 1-winning filly who was pointing to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff next month at Santa Anita, has developed bruising of the cannon bones in her front ankles and has been retired, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Farms said Thursday.

McLaughlin said Cavorting appeared off in the last few mornings, and further evaluation revealed the problem. Cavorting had been expected to run in the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Nov. 5 at Santa Anita.

“No surgery required, she just isn’t quite right,” McLaughlin said. “She had bruising of the cannon bones. This might be the best filly I ever trained, so it’s hard to make this announcement.”

"She’s going home basically sound."

Cavorting, 4, a daughter of Bernardini out of the Carson City mare Promenade Girl, was purchased as a weanling for $360,000 at the 2012 Keeneland November sale. She won her debut by 11 lengths at Belmont in July 2014 and then took the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga.

Cavorting would win graded stakes at Saratoga for three consecutive years, taking the Grade 1 Test and Grade 2 Prioress at age 3 and the Grade 1 Personal Ensign in her last start Aug. 27. The Personal Ensign was her first start at 1 1/8 miles and around two turns and earned her a berth in the $2 million Distaff, where she was going to meet champions Beholder, Stellar Wind, and Songbird.

Cavorting also won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont in June and the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont in May.

Cavorting retires with a record of 8-1-1 from 13 starts and earnings of $2,063,000.

◗ While there is still no official decision on Frosted’s next race, McLaughlin did confirm that Mubtaahij, fourth in last Saturday’s $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, will not be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Mubtaahij will soon start a period of quarantine and will be shipped to Dubai, where he will be reunited with trainer Michael de Kock.