Noble Stella injured

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Noble Stella is through racing for this season, at a minimum, after being injured during a workout over Woodbine's Polytrack surface here Saturday morning.

"It was just a normal little maintenance breeze," said trainer Roger Attfield, who had watched Noble Stella breeze five furlongs 1:01.60 under assistant trainer Rachel Halden.

"She came back with a chip in her knee."

Attfield informed owner Gary Tanaka of Noble Stella's status on Sunday and sent X-rays to several consulting veterinarians to help determine her future.

Noble Stella, a 5-year-old mare, won three graded stakes in the United States this year and was under consideration for upcoming features including the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Churchill Downs and the $1 million E.P. Taylor here at Woodbine.

"We always called her an iron horse," said Attfield. "She has legs like steel; she just runs, and runs, and runs."

Although based here with Attfield, Noble Stella has made just two starts this season and is not eligible for consideration for a Sovereign Award, which inquires a minimum of three starts prior to the Nov. 27 deadline.