South American stakes winner Kung Fu Mambo retired

DEL MAR, Calif. – Kung Fu Mambo, a Group 1 winner in Peru in 2012 who won his only start in the U.S. at Santa Anita last month, has been retired because of a recurring tendon injury, trainer Peter Miller said.

The decision to retire Kung Fu Mambo was made in recent days. Kung Fu Mambo was nominated for Saturday’s $200,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar and was considered a potential starter as recently as last weekend.

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Owned by Oscar Pena’s Dona Licha Stable, Kung Fu Mambo, 6, won 3 of 7 starts and earned $161,390. By Giant’s Causeway, Kung Fu Mambo won the Group 1 Derby Nacional in Peru in 2012 before being sent to the U.S. He was sidelined by a tendon injury that delayed his American debut but recovered to win an optional claimer by 4 1/4 lengths June 25 at Santa Anita.

“The tendon came back,” Miller said. “He wasn’t 100 percent. It’s a shame. He could have been a Breeders’ Cup Classic kind of horse.”

Miller said a South American stud career is likely for Kung Fu Mambo.