VISIONAIRE (Grand Slam), who rolled home to a 2 1/4-length victory in the
King’s Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga last summer, has been retired from racing, it
was announced by trainer Michael Matz.
“Visionaire most likely suffered a knee chip in the King’s Bishop,” Matz
said. “His next two races were unlike him. Surgery was performed by Dr. Larry
Bramlage last fall, but he has not trained to our satisfaction, so the owners
have decided to retire him, rather than blemish his racing record.”
Visionaire compiled a 12-5-1-2 record while earning $465,882. His most
notable victory came in the King’s Bishop, in which he ran seven furlongs in
1:21 4/5. The King’s Bishop is considered by breeders to be an outstanding
credential for a colt entering stud.
Visionaire indicated partiality to the Saratoga track with an easy allowance
win over older runners when prepping for the King’s Bishop, and in the Grade 1
contest, he electrified onlookers by going from last to first in a furlong to
gain command and win drawing away under Alan Garcia.
Earlier in the spring, Visionaire scored a memorable, if not fully visible,
victory when he emerged from the fog to run down Texas Wildcatter (Monarchos)
for a dramatic victory in the Gotham S. (G3) around two turns at Aqueduct.
Visionaire additionally placed in the Risen Star S. (G3) at Fair Grounds and
the Northern Dancer S. (G3) at Churchill Downs for owners Vision Racing and Team
Valor International.
Bred in Kentucky by Reiley McDonald, Visionaire is by Ashford Stud stallion
Grand Slam out of the stakes-placed French Deputy mare Scarlet Tango, a
half-sister to $331,064-earner and stakes winner Dale’s Prospect (Pioneering),
who was foaled by $473,242-earner and 10-time stakes winner Silver Tango (Silver
Badge).
No plans have been formulated for Visionaire’s stud career. Visionaire is
being sent to the Paragon Farm of Vision Racing partners Brandon and Diannah
Perry in Lexington, Kentucky, so that he can be inspected by prospective buyers.