Trot Insider has learned that San Pail, harness racing's reigning Horse of the Year in both Canada and the U.S., will not race again in 2012.
After qualifying on August 24 in 1:57.3, trainer and co-owner Rod Hughes stated that he'd have to see how the the eight-year-old son of San Pellegrino rebounded from a right-hind ankle injury that sidelined him for the summer. Hughes told Trot Insider that the area still had some inflammation.
"We just got home from Rood and Riddle [Equine Hospital] yesterday," said Hughes on Thursday morning. "They treated the area with stem cell therapy and gave him a good prognosis."
A career winner of 51 races with more than $3 million in earnings, San Pail is owned by Hughes and his wife Emily along with breeder Glenn Van Camp.
"He had trained much more than he went in that [August 24] qualifier so we were optimistic but you have to be 110 per cent to go with these trotters," stated Hughes. "I was really looking forward to racing again at Vernon, the Allerage and the Breeders Crown but we've had a great five years. He's shown up and raced his heart out every race."
The short-term plan for San Pail is to receive hand walking for a month and then head back to Rood & Riddle for another dose of stem cells. Plans beyond that could change but will likely involve more hand walking before being turned out at the Hughes farm in Dunsford, Ont. for the winter.
Sad News ;San Pail is in
Sad News ;San Pail is in good hands His family will give him the best care ever .All his fans will wait for a comeback .There have been many great trotters but this one attracted so many non horsemen which was a feat in itself Best Wishes to The Hughes Family We had some of the best times watching him race truly UNFORGETTABLE.....The Brock Family
Thank you San Pails
Thank you San Pails connections for doing what is best for this great horse.
Agree with everyones
Agree with everyones comments, It really refreshing to see owners that put the horses welfare in front of money. If every owner was like this group we would have a better business / sport...
All the best to San Pail and
All the best to San Pail and his caring connections. He is so lucky to have people that are looking after his health and welfare. He deserves it. Best wishes for a full recovery.
To all the San Pail
To all the San Pail connections:
Thanks so much for doing the right thing for your amazing horse.
You are great role models for our industry.
Mark McLennan, Woodstock
The old guy gave all he had
The old guy gave all he had every race he was in, now it's time to give him back some of what he earned. Retire him to green pastures and a happy retirement while he's at the top of his career. He owes no one a thing, he's paid his dues and will be remembered as one of the best as long as there are trotters taking the track anywhere the name of San Pail will be remembered.