Multiple Grade 1 winner ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.) has been retired after tests
revealed worn cartilage in his left front sesamoid. Stud plans are pending for
the four-year-old, who captured seven of 11 starts and earned $1,870,380 in two
seasons of racing.
Rock Hard Ten finished second in the Preakness S. (G1) and captured the Swaps
Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) last year, but the late-blooming colt hit his best stride
at four under the direction of trainer Richard Mandella. The massive dark bay
returned from a freshening to capture the Malibu S. (G1) in late December, won
the Strub S. (G2) in February and then posted an authoritative victory in the
prestigious Santa Anita H. (G1). Following a layoff, Rock Hard Ten returned to
the races with another convincing score in the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H. (G2),
and he was considered one of the favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)
before being declared due to a foot bruise.
“After his undefeated four-year-old campaign, we are saddened by this
decision but felt it was in ‘The Rock’s’ best interest to retire him at this
point,” Mandella told the Thoroughbred Times. “Given the tremendous interest in
him as a stallion prospect we hope his career at stud will be as great as his
racing one was.”
Owned by Madeleine Paulson and Ernie Moody, Rock Hard Ten is out of French
Group 1 winner and champion Tersa (Mr. Prospector).