Grade 1 winner and Japanese star CESARIO (Jpn) (Special Week), winner of last
year’s American Oaks (G1), has been retired due to an inflamed ligament in her
right fore leg. She will start a new life as a broodmare at Northern Farm in
Hokkaido, Japan. Breeding plans have not been announced.
“I checked her condition on April 3,” trainer Katsuhiko Sumii said.
“Unfortunately, her inflamed ligament seems to be chronic. It probably will take
at least one year to comeback. I am very sorry not to see her race again, but I
hope she will enjoy her second life and produce good foals at her hometown
Northern Farm.”
Bred by Northern Farm and owned by Carrot Farm, Cesario began her career with
three straight wins, but lost her unbeaten record when second in the Oka Sho
(Japanese One Thousand Guineas) (Jpn-G1) last April. She rebounded with a win in
the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (Jpn-G1) in May, then came to the United States
and captured the American Oaks by four lengths over Melhor Ainda (Pulpit) in
July. An injury was detected to a ligament in her right fore later that month,
ultimately forcing her retirement.
Cesario concludes her career with a record of 6-5-1-0 and earnings of
$2,578,568.