Oceanside, Calif. – Bloom Racing Stable announced on Wednesday that Champion mare Midnight Bisou has been retired.
Internationally recognized Equine Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY, confirmed that Midnight Bisou sustained a sesamoid fracture in her right front fetlock. According to Dr. Bramlage surgery is not required, and she has already shipped to WinStar Farm, where she will be turned out. The injury will be inconsequential to her and her broodmare career.
She will be offered as a broodmare prospect with Elite Sales at the Fasig-Tipton November sale (November 8), where she will certainly headline the “Night of the Stars” sale.
Midnight Bisou had a routine maintenance work at Saratoga on Monday, September 28 in advance of the G1 Juddmonte Spinster taking place at Keeneland on October 4 as a final prep for her participation in this year’s Breeders’ Cup. While cooling out, and under the watchful eye of Scott Blasi, Assistant Trainer to Steve Asmussen, he noticed something was amiss.
“I cannot begin to tell you what this mare has meant to me, my family, and my partners,” said Jeffrey Bloom, co-owner and Managing Partner of Bloom Racing. “The places she has taken us and the thrills she has given us are immeasurable. And just to be in her presence is to feel what greatness is all about. Her calm, inquisitive demeanor, her fierce determination in a race is unlike any other horse. She is all class. I’m just so grateful I got to be a part of her incredible journey, and I’m extremely excited to watch the next phase of her life, watch her become a mother, and for her babies to hit the track with all of her class and elegance, and continue the Midnight Bisou legacy.”
Midnight Bisou retires as the highest-earning dirt mare of all time, earning $7,471,520. She raced at 10 different tracks. Never off the board in 22-lifetime starts, with a record of 13-6-3. A daughter of Midnight Lute out of Delightful Diva, she received the Eclipse award in 2019 for Older Dirt Female. Her five GI wins include the Santa Anita Oaks and the Cotillion in 2018; and the Apple Blossom, Ogden Phipps, and Personal Ensign in 2019.
“I want to thank trainer Steve Asmussen, assistant trainer’s Scott Blasi, Darren Fleming, her main exercise rider Angel Garica, groom Gerardo Morales (Chocolaté), and the entire Asmussen team for the devotion and care they provided each and every single day. I would also like to thank her regular rider, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith who shared a very special bond with her, and was aboard for all five G1 wins, as well as the other jockeys who were fortunate enough to climb aboard. Finally, a sincere thank you to all of Midnight Bisou’s legion of fans who have been extremely loyal with their support and love for our Champion throughout her career.”
#EarsUp always, we love you Bisou.
Midnight Bisou wins an exciting 2019 Personal Ensign at Saratoga.
Press Release
Photo: Midnight Bisou wins the 2019 Ogden Phipps. Credit: Joe Labozzetta
