Multiple graded-stakes winner Messier is retired to New York

Messier, the 15-length winner of the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes in 2022, has been retired to stand at Rockridge Stud in New York.

In a racing career that ran from ages 2 through 5, Messier retires with a 15: 4-5-1 record and $593,690 in career earnings. Three of his wins came at the graded-stakes level. Messier’s retirement was previously reported at Paulick Report.

He won the 2022 Bob Hope (G3) by 2 1/2 lengths over Forbidden Kingdom while in the barn of Bob Baffert. After settling for second behind Slow Down Andy in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), he returned with his statement win in the Lewis, still for Baffert.

He finished second to Taiba in the 2022 Santa Anita Derby after being moved to the barn of trainer Tim Yakteen, as Baffert was ineligible to earn Kentucky Derby points at the time. That second in the Santa Anita Derby earned him a ticket to the Kentucky Derby. He went on to finish 15th.

Though he was out for most of his 4-year-old season, Messier looked to be returning to form at age 5. He crossed the wire first in the Excelsior for trainer Rick Dutrow in March of 2024, though as disqualified to second for causing long shot Laughing Boy to check. He then held off Post Time to win the Westchester (G3), his first win in over two years. He came out of the Westchester with a knee chip and took almost six months off for surgery and recovery. He then bled and was pulled up in the Forty Niner (G3) on Oct. 26, his first start back.

Messier, a son of Empire Maker out of the stakes-winning Smart Strike mare Checkered Past, will stand for a $5,000 stud fee.