Did Rags to Riches run her heart out when she surged by horse-of-the-year Curlin at the wire of the mile-and-a-half long 2007 Belmont Stakes? The filly was never the same again. She spent last summer hanging out in Saratoga, looking pretty bored. Thanks for the thrills, Rags. (Fran Jurga photo)

(Via press release from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association)

Delray Beach, FL – March 24, 2008 – It was announced today that 2007 Belmont Stakes winner and Champion Three Year Old Filly Rags to Riches will be retired to Ashford Stud where she will be bred to leading sire Giant’s Causeway.

In 2007, Rags to Riches made history when she became only the third filly to win the coveted Belmont Stakes, and the first to do so in 102 years. Rags to Riches outdueled eventual 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in a breathtaking stretch run to capture the Belmont. She had five wins from six starts in 2007 and amassed career earnings of $1,340,028. In January, she was honored with the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Three-Year-Old Filly of 2007.

The filly was sidelined last September after suffering a hairline fracture to her right front pastern during the running of the Grade l, $250,000 Gazelle Stakes at Belmont Park. She returned to Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn at Palm Beach Downs earlier this year where she resumed training.

“She has re-injured her right front pastern and because of the timing, the decision was made to retire her as opposed to trying to bring her back in the fall,” said Pletcher from Palm Beach Downs. “It’s a sad day for racing and all of her fans. She will go down in the history books as one of the best fillies ever to run. With the tremendous family that she comes from, she should make a terrific broodmare. We are excited for her and the prospects that lie ahead.”

The Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith owned filly will leave Palm Beach Downs today and travel to Ashford Stud, in Versailles, Ky., where she will be bred to the Tabor and John Magnier owned stallion Giant’s Causeway.