Iliad retired as result of ankle injury
San Vicente Stakes winner Iliad has been retired because of an ankle injury sustained in a workout last week at Santa Anita, owner Kaleem Shah said on Sunday.
Shah said that the injury was such that "I've been advised that if he comes back, he won't be at the same level.
"So, I've decided to retire him and find him a good home as a stallion," Shah said.
While Shah did not disclose the specific nature of the injury, he said Iliad "does not need surgery to be a stallion."
Iliad, 3, raced five times. He finished fifth in the Santa Anita Derby in his final start.
Prior to that, Iliad was second to Mastery in the San Felipe in March.
His victory in the Grade 2 San Vicente, at seven furlongs in February, was his lone stakes win and one of his two victories.
Initially trained by Bob Baffert, Iliad was transferred to Doug O'Neill when Shah and Baffert had a falling out several months ago.
Iliad, a ridgling by Ghostzapper out of the You and I mare Little Swoon, was purchased by Baffert on behalf of Shah as a 2-year-old in training for $285,000. He earned $247,345 in his five starts.
This is the second high-profile horse Shah has had to retire in recent weeks, following Dortmund, the 2015 Santa Anita Derby winner. Shah said stud plans for Dortmund are pending.