Texas-bred millionaire Texas Chrome retired at 4

Texas Chrome, who in July became just the second Texas-bred millionaire – joining 1987 champion sprinter Groovy – has been retired at age 4, owner Danny Keene said Wednesday. The horse had been working sharply at his Remington Park base for the Fayette Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland.

Keene said precautionary X-rays revealed a “little” hairline fracture in a knee, leading to the decision to retire the horse to stud. Keene is determining whether Texas Chrome will stand privately or commercially and whether he will stand in Arkansas or Texas.

“He’s done his dues,” Keene said. “Let’s raise some babies.”

Texas Chrome retires with nine wins from 22 starts for earnings of $1,033,262. He won eight stakes, including the Super Derby and Oklahoma Derby. Keene said the back-to-back Grade 3 wins last year were a highlight.

“That was awful exciting for a horse to do that within some 15 days,” Keene said.

Texas Chrome advanced to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, finishing ninth, and while out at Santa Anita, Keene said one of the owners of California Chrome inquired about Texas Chrome.

“He asked, ‘Would you consider selling part of him to me,’ ” Keene said. “It really made me feel good.”

Keene said another high point was when Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert told Keene he admired Texas Chrome.

“He said, ‘You’ve got a heck of a horse there,’ ” Keene said.

Texas Chrome wound up facing a pair of Baffert trainees this year, finishing second to Mor Spirit in the Steve Sexton Mile and second to Danzing Candy in the Lone Star Park Handicap.

Texas Chrome last raced Sept. 24, finishing fourth to Iron Fist in the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington. He is by Grasshopper and is a half-brother to Patrona Margarita, winner of this year’s Grade 2 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs.

Texas Chrome went over $1 million in earnings with a win in the Assault Stakes in July at Lone Star.

“He’s a super horse in my eyes,” Keene said. “I’m real fortunate to have him.”

Keene said he has been purchasing mares that nick well with Texas Chrome.