Ginger Punch retired

ARCADIA, Calif. - Ginger Punch, the Eclipse Award-winning older filly or mare in 2007, has been retired after finishing sixth of eight on Friday in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting, trainer Bobby Frankel said Monday.

Ginger Punch, 5, won the Ladies' Classic the previous year at Monmouth Park, when it was named the Distaff. She won 12 of 22 lifetime starts, including six Grade 1 races, and earned more than $3 million.

Frankel said Ginger Punch would remain in California for another week, then be sent to Kentucky to the farm of Frank Stronach, who bred and owns Ginger Punch. She will be bred next year. Frankel did not know to which stallion Ginger Punch would be bred.

Ginger Punch was one of Frankel's favorite horses, ranking up there with Sightseek.

Asked if he was going to miss her, Frankel said, "For sure."