Trainer Doug O'Neill announced Wednesday that his Hall of Fame stable pony, Lava Man, will retire from his racetrack duties following this year's Breeders' Cup. The 21-year-old gelding will take up residence at Old Friends in Lexington, Ky.
Claimed out of his 13th start for $50,000, Lava Man (Slew City Slew) won 17 of his 47 career starts, including three straight editions of the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup (2005-2007), both the 2006 & 2007 editions of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), the 2006 Pacific Classic (G1), and the 2006 Charles Whittingham Memorial (G1).
Lava Man retired with earnings of $5,268,706, and returned to O'Neill's barn as a stable pony in 2010. He recovered from colic surgery in 2018, and has remained an integral part of Team O'Neill, often traveling with the stable's top runners around the country.
O'Neill made the announcement via his Facebook page:
It is with great excitement and sadness that Lava Man will make his final coaching duties chaperoning Hot Rod Charlie to the gate in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland Racecourse.
With tons of life left in his spirit, body and mind we look forward to seeing lots of other people being able to meet and experience his greatness and uniqueness at Old Friends in Kentucky. Old Friends and Michael Blowen are very excited to welcome Hall of Fame, Lava Man as their newest permanent resident after Breeders' Cup.
We would like to give a special “Thank You” to these special and important people in Lava Man' s life—
Dave and Steve Kenly, Jason Wood his longtime owners. In addition, Noe Garcia (his long-time groom), Antonio Romero (his long-time exercise rider) and Sabas Rivera (his two-legged brother). Jimmy Jimenez (no foot, no horse long time shoer) and our right-hand man, Leandro Mora.
We would like to also thank Corey Nakatani and Patrick Valenzula who piloted him to several Grade 1 victories. Hollywood Park, Santa Anita and Del Mar Racetracks and management who supported Lava Man during his racing career. We would like to thank the National Racing Hall of Fame for his induction in his first year of eligibility in 2015.
At Team O'Neill we are extremely grateful for the 18 years we had to race and work alongside Lava Man. He can never be replaced, and we will never look to replace him.
Farewell, Lava Man. We Love You.
The post ‘He Can Never Be Replaced’: Lava Man Will Retire To Old Friends After 2022 Breeders’ Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
