Midnight Bisou retired after fetlock injury and new career as a broodmare awaits

Champion Midnight Bisou, who exited a Monday workout at Saratoga with discomfort in her right front leg, has been retired, according to a media release from co-owner Bloom Racing Stable.

Evaluated by orthopedic surgeon Dr Larry Bramlage of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky, Midnight Bisou was determined to have a sesamoid fracture in her right front fetlock. According to Bramlage, surgery is not required.

The five-year-old has been shipped to WinStar Farm, where she will be turned out. The injury will not affect her broodmare career, her connections wrote.

As announced before her injury, she will be sold with Elite Sales at the November Sale at Fasig-Tipton.

Midnight Bisou's trainer, Steve Asmussen, had planned to run her in the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland this Sunday prior to a start in the Breeders' Cup just before her sale date.

"I cannot begin to tell you what this mare has meant to me, my family, and my partners," said Jeff Bloom, co-owner and managing partner of Bloom Racing. "The places she has taken us and the thrills she has given us are immeasurable. And just to be in her presence is to feel what greatness is all about. Her calm, inquisitive demeanour, her fierce determination in a race is unlike any other horse. She is all class.

"I'm just so grateful I got to be a part of her incredible journey, and I'm extremely excited to watch the next phase of her life, watch her become a mother, and for her babies to hit the track with all of her class and elegance, and continue the Midnight Bisou legacy."

Midnight Bisou was retired with earnings of more than $7.4 million with a record of 13-6-3 from 22 starts. The well-travelled mare raced at ten tracks and received an Eclipse Award in 2019 as champion older dirt female.

Her five top-level wins were the Santa Anita Oaks and the Cotillion Stakes in 2018, and the Apple Blossom Handicap, Ogden Phipps Stakes and Personal Ensign Stakes in 2019.

Midnight Bisou (right) runs a valiant race to be second to Maximum Security in the Saudi CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

She earned a win and two second-place finishes from three starts this year, running second in the Saudi Cup and this summer's Personal Ensign, with a win in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Stakes in between for owners Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing.

Bill Spawr trained her for the first six starts of her career up to a third-place finish in the 2018 Kentucky Oaks. Thereafter, she was transferred to Asmussen. Madaket Stables joined as a co-owner at that stage in her three-year-old season.

"I want to thank trainer Steve Asmussen, assistant trainers Scott Blasi, Darren Fleming, her main exercise rider Angel Garcia, groom Gerardo Morales, and the entire Asmussen team for the devotion and care they provided each and every single day," added Bloom.

"I would also like to thank her regular rider, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who shared a very special bond with her, and was aboard for all five Grade 1 wins, as well as the other jockeys who were fortunate enough to climb aboard.

"Finally, a sincere thank you to all of Midnight Bisou's legion of fans who have been extremely loyal with their support and love for our champion throughout her career."

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