Vodka, Japan’s 2 time Horse of the Year has been retired after a surprisingly bad finishing in last week’s G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 at Dubai’s new Meydan Racecourse.

Because of her poor finish, her connections were worried something was wrong. She didn’t giving it her usual gutsy stretch run. It turned out she had bled pretty badly.

In the best interest of the horse, they decided to retire her instead of run her in the March 27th Dubai World Cup, as was originally planned.

He owner, Yuzo Tanimizu, is said that he was disappointed that it had to end this way. And that they couldn’t give her fan’s one big final race. But that he hopes they will support her offspring when they hit the track in 2013.

Before going to Dubai, Tanimizu had made an arrangement to send Vodka to Ireland to be bred over there. It has been confirmed that she is booked to Sea the Stars and will not be returning to Japan. I guess they will ship her offspring back to Japan when they are old enough.

I have seen Vodka race 8 times and I feel very lucky to have seen this champion mare run at all. She was the first filly in 65 years to win the Japanese Derby (GI). She won GI races as a 2, 3, 4, and 5 year old, Seven GI in total. She is one of the richest mares to have ever raced and always delivered a thrilling finish.

She was beloved by many racing fans all over the world and will be missed. Her final record stands...

Races: 27  Win: 10  Second: 5  Third: 3

Earnings: $14,462,466.06

Here is a video of her 2007 Japan Derby triumph!

Here is her thrilling 2cm victory in the 2008 Emperor’s Cup.

Here was her gutsy victory, overcoming bad traffic in the stretch in win the Yasuda Kinen (GI).

Here is her last GI victory against males in the 2009 Japan Cup, another thrilling finish. Enjoy your retirement!