Owsley retired after back injury

Owsley, a multiple graded stakes winner, has been retired to the breeding shed. A 5-year-old daughter of Harlan, Owsley arrived at her owner and breeder Arthur B. Hancock III's Stone Farm in Kentucky on Wednesday.

Owsley was being prepared for Sunday's WinStar Galaxy, a race she won last year at Keeneland, when she injured her back while galloping. Owsley's trainer, Randy Schulhofer, said the mare was galloping last Saturday at Belmont Park when she stopped abruptly after changing leads.

"She must have pulled a muscle up high in her back," Schulhofer said.

Owsley, who was scheduled to be retired at the end of this year, had a record of 8-4-1 in 23 starts and earnings of $865,705. In addition to the WinStar Galaxy, Owsley also won last year's Grade 2 New York Handicap at Belmont and the Grade 3 Glens Falls at Saratoga.

This year, on July 26, she won the Grade 3 Modesty at Arlington Park and set a stakes record. In her final career start, Owsley finished seventh in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington on Aug. 16.