After two less than Shadow performances at Lexington recently, Shadow Play is now at Blue Chip Farm in upstate New York, retired to stud. He came back sound after 3 weeks of significant problems with his RF foot, which was the original problem last Fall after the 1st heat of The Jug. Ironically, Shadow never had a single thing wrong with him until that day last September, and this year, it has been one thing after another. Many of the issues didn't even involve him directly, such as the well publicized Mohawk qualifier cancellation and subsequent truck to Lexington to qualify a few hours later. It just wasn't meant to be this year.
But having said all of that, Myself especially, but also my partners Ron and Gail MacLellan, Serge Savard and this years partner, Blue Chip Farm, have all enjoyed the ride Shadow gave us the past 3 years, and we are all anxiously awaiting the start of his new career. The many moments of enjoyment and all the time myself and family personally spent with Shadow throughout his training and racing career, will never be forgotten and we certainly thank him for that. When I was leaving Lexington a week ago Sunday, I stopped in to feed him one last time at 5 in the morning on my way to the airport, and I certainly shed a tear as I walked back to my car. Blue Chip Farm has a beautiful facility with excellent people there, and I do know he will be well looked after, and that's really all that matters. So long, Shadow.