Owner Michael Lund Petersen announced that champion sprinter Gamine, the leading distaff earner of champion sire Into Mischief, has been retired.
One of the fastest horses of her generation, Gamine flirted with two of the most iconic records in the history of the sport set by the legendary Dr. Fager, believed by many to be the fastest horse of all time.
In her 18 3/4-length romp in the Acorn Stakes she blazed the mile in 1:32 2/5, which was one-fifth of a second off Dr. Fager’s world record set 54 years ago, which remains unbroken on dirt. In her 6 1/4-length domination of the fastest fillies in the country in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, her track-record seven-furlong time of 1:20 1/5 equaled Dr. Fager’s time in the Vosburgh Handicap that stood for 31 years. Finishing a distant second was Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress.
When she romped by seven lengths in the Test Stakes at Saratoga, her blazing time of 1:20 4/5 for the seven furlongs was only two-fifths of a second off the track record set 44 years ago, while not being asked in the stretch. The Equibase comment reads she won “at will.”
Now five years old, her connections felt she has nothing left to prove.
Trainer Bob Baffert said, “Gamine is the best filly sprinter I have ever trained. She defines greatness. She’s a big, beautiful, elegant filly. She was all class. We knew we had something very special right from the start.”
Gamine’s other Grade 1 victories include the seven-furlong Derby City Distaff Stakes presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery at Churchill Downs, run in a sprightly 1:21 2/5, and the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga. She also cruised to a 10-length victory in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos and won the Grade 3 six-furlong Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita by five lengths.
Her average margin of victory was seven lengths.
“Gamine is leaving the track happy and healthy. She gave me and my family the thrill of a lifetime,” said Lund Petersen. “We look forward to her next chapter.”
Gamine will reside at Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa Farm in Paris, Ky.
Photo Credit: Eric Kalat
