Ocean Road, winner of Gamely Stakes, retired from racing
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Ocean Road, winner of the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita in May, suffered a torn tendon ligament in a front leg and has been retired from racing, trainer Brendan Walsh said Sunday.
Ocean Road had been intended for a start in Saturday’s Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga.
“Have to call it a day with her unfortunately,” said Walsh, who trains Ocean Road for Qatar Racing. “It’s very disappointing because we didn’t feel like we had gotten to the bottom of her yet. She was going to improve.”
A 4-year-old daughter of Australia, Ocean Road made the first six starts of her career - five in Europe - for Hugo Palmer, winning just once. She competed in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar, running sixth behind Loves Only You.
She remained in this country with Walsh, for whom she won a first-level allowance at Keeneland in April before rallying from last to win the Grade 1 Gamely as a 5-1 betting choice at Santa Anita.
Breeding plans for Ocean Road are to be determined. She retires with a race record of 3-1-2 from eight starts and earnings of $351,772.