Champion Main Sequence retired

Main Sequence, a dual-Eclipse winner in 2014, has been retired, according to a statement released by trainer Graham Motion’s Herringswell Stables.  He had suffered a tendon tear, the statement says.

Main Sequence, a six-year-old son of Aldebaran, was undefeated in 2014, winning all four of his starts, all in Grade 1 company.  He began his season in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park and concluded it with a flashy score in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

He earned Eclipse Awards as champion turf male and champion older male.  In addition to his Eclipse awards, the Fair Hill-based runner also was named Maryland-based Horse of the Year by the Maryland Racing Media Association.

But 2015 has not been so kind to him.  After a victory in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmada at Gulfstream Park, he traveled to Dubai to compete in the Dubai Sheema Classic, in which he finished seventh.  Back stateside, he sought to defend his United Nations title but finished seventh as the 8-5 favorite.

“Following Main Sequence’s poor performance in the United Nations Handicap, a thorough veterinary examination was carried out last week,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager for Flaxman Holdings, which owns Main Seqeuence.  “A tendon tear was discovered and the decision has been taken to retire him. The 2014 Eclipse Champion Turf Male and Eclipse Champion Older Male has given his owners great pleasure throughout his career.”

Overall, Main Sequence won nine of 21 career starts — five of six in North American — and earned $3,428,666.  He was the third Breeders’ Cup winner trained by Motion, who also conditioned Better Talk Now (2004 Turf) and Shared Account (2010 Filly and Mare Turf).

“Having a horse of this caliber who consistently performed at the highest level is an exceptional privilege,” said Herringswell’s statement.  “We are grateful to the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Holdings and to David Lanigan, who facilitated the transfer of Main Sequence to Herringswell at the beginning of 2014.”