Country House, who was last seen in the winner's circle at Churchill Downs after being declared the winner of the Kentucky Derby via an unprecedented disqualification, has been retired following a bout with laminitis, according to a statement issued by his connections on Friday evening. Country House, who was bred in Kentucky by the late J.V. Shields, Jr., was campaigned by his widow, Maury Shields, her nephew, Guinness McFadden, Jr., and the LNJ Foxwoods of Larry, Nanci, and Jaime Roth. The Lookin At Lucky colt officially compiled a racing record of 2-2-1 from seven starts with earnings of $2,120,175. Country House, trained by Bill Mott, won a maiden special weight in January 2019 at Gulfstream Park, his third career start. He then earned his way into the Kentucky Derby by finishing second in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes to War of Will, the eventual Preakness Stakes winner; fourth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby; and third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby behind Omaha Beach and Improbable. In the Kentucky Derby on May 4, Country House and jockey Flavien Prat advanced from ninth to sit a close third on the outside at the quarter pole, then continued on to be second, crossing the line 1 3/4 lengths behind Maximum Security. However, Maximum Security had veered out sharply near the five-sixteenths pole, impacting also-rans War of Will and Long Range Toddy, among others. Prat and Jon Court, aboard Long Range Toddy, both claimed foul, and after a review of more than 20 minutes, the stewards disqualified Maximum Security to 17th, making him the first horse ever to be disqualified for an in-race incident after crossing the line first in the Derby. Country House triggered a $132.40 win payout after his elevation. On May 7, Mott said that Country House had developed a cough and seemed to be harboring a virus, ruling him out of the Preakness Stakes. He was the first Derby winner to miss the Preakness since Grindstone, who was retired due to a bone chip in his knee following the 1996 Derby. Country House received an examination at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, and returned to light training at Churchill Downs, but his attitude and condition did not satisfy Mott. In mid-June, while accepting the engraved Kentucky Derby trophy in a ceremony at Churchill Downs, Mott reported that his Derby winner would receive turnout time at Blackwood, the training and rehabilitation facility co-owned by McFadden and Matt Hogan, and that he likely would not start again that year. Additional problems arose later that month. “On June 27, Country House was sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for a routine lameness examination, to be followed up by turn out,” read the retirement statement distributed by Blackwood on Friday evening. “Country House was examined by Dr. Larry Bramlage and was diagnosed with proximal suspensory ligament desmitis on both front fetlocks. Country House experienced complications and was re-admitted to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on July 1, where he was treated for a right front lower leg infection. “Over the course of the next two weeks, the team at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital got the infection under control, but as a result of his non-weight bearing right front foot, he developed laminitis in his left front foot. He was released on July 15 and returned to Blackwood for stall rest. Over the coming months, Dr. Scott Morrison was able to stabilize the foot and make Country House more comfortable. He is currently on turn out and we anticipate that he will make a full recovery, but because of the laminitis and the subsequent steps taken to save his life, he will never race again. "Over the past seven months, our primary focus has solely been on Country House and his health. With the Derby right around the corner and his health much improved, we felt it was an appropriate time to make this announcement. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this difficult time.” With Country House's health having been the primary focus, and with the breeding season already underway, the classic performer will not stand at stud this year. His retirement announcement noted that future stallion plans were forthcoming. Country House's sire, champion Lookin At Lucky, is in turn by the classic sire and sire-of-sires Smart Strike. Country House is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Mitchell Road and stakes winner Mr. Brix, and they are from the family of Canadian classic winner Breaking Lucky.