Augustin Stable colorbearers ROCHESTER (Green Dancer) and LATICE (Ire)
(Inchinor [GB]) have been retired, trainer Jonathan Sheppard reports. Both were
accomplished turf performers. The 10-year-old Rochester was a fixture on the
Kentucky scene for the last five years, and classic heroine Latice had been a
French highweight prior to joining Sheppard.
Multiple Group 3 winner Rochester amassed more than $1.2 million in earnings
from his 51-11-11-5 line, which reflects six stakes wins and 14 stakes placings.
A model of longevity, the bay gelding made six straight appearances in the
Sycamore Breeders’ Cup S. at Keeneland, taking it three times. The Sycamore was
a listed event when he won in 2001 and 2002, but it had been elevated to Grade 3
status when he landed his third trophy in 2005.
Rochester also lined up in five consecutive editions of the Kentucky Cup Turf
H. (G3) and Elkhorn S. (G3). Never off the board in the Kentucky Cup Turf, he
took top honors in 2002 and 2003 and placed in the last three runnings. He also
placed three times in the Elkhorn, and he was runner-up in three straight
renewals of the Louisville H. (G3).
From five starts this season, his best effort was a third in the Kentucky Cup
Turf. He finished eighth in the October 6 Sycamore in his career finale.
“He’s sound,” Sheppard said. “He ran well in a couple of races this year,
although he didn’t win. He’s been a very nice horse, but has done enough. I just
sent him home to the farm (in Pennsylvania where he was bred). I think we’ll try
him at fox-hunting. He’s been a wonderful horse.”
The five-year-old Latice retires with a mark of 18-6-3-2 and a bankroll
approaching $800,000. Beginning her career under the tutelage of Jean-Marie
Beguigne in France, the chestnut won both of her starts as a juvenile, notably
the Prix de Conde (Fr-G3). Early in her sophomore campaign, Latice picked up
right where she left off, capturing the Prix Vanteaux (Fr-G3) and displaying a
riveting turn of foot to take the Prix de Diane Hermes (French Oaks) (Fr-G1).
Although she was unplaced in her last three starts of 2004, all in Group 1
company, she had done enough to rank as the French highweight at 9 1/2 to 11
furlongs.
After transferring to Sheppard, Latice scored in the 2005 Waya S. at Saratoga
and placed second in that year’s E. P. Taylor S. (Can-G1). She ran seven times
this season, finishing runner-up in the All Along Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) and
Glens Falls H. (G3) and third in the Robert G. Dick Memorial Breeders’ Cup S.
Latice reported home ninth in the November 25 April Run S. at Laurel in what
turned out to be her final start.
“She came out of her last race bleeding from the sole of one of her feet and
was lame,” Sheppard explained. “With what she accomplished, it was best to send
her home to be a broodmare.”