Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan retired

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan has officially been retired, Churchill Downs and trainer Kenny McPeek announced Friday on social media, McPeek saying he was "extremely proud" of his "brave and intelligent" horse.

Mystik Dan, who raced for Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm, now retires to Airdrie Stud, which announced in June that it had acquired his future rights. First, however, he will make a farewell appearance at Churchill Downs, parading in the paddock with the fourth race on Saturday.

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It was beneath the twin spires that Mystik Dan scored his greatest victory, prevailing in a three-way photo finish in the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024. Runner-up Sierra Leone and third-place Forever Young have won the last two editions of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Mystik Dan completed a rare double for McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., as they won the Kentucky Oaks the day prior with Thorpedo Anna.

Mystik Dan was expected to have his career finale in last Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, but he was a veterinary scratch the morning of the race, to consternation from his connections. The 4-year-old son of the Into Mischief horse Goldencents now retires with a record of 16-5-3-1 and earnings of more than $4.8 million. Along with his Kentucky Derby win, Mystik Dan showed his affinity for Churchill Downs with wins in this year’s Grade 2 Lukas Classic and Grade 3 Blame Stakes, and also won last year’s Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

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