Trainer Doug O’Neill announced Wednesday that his Hall of Fame stable pony, Lava Man, will retire from his racetrack duties following this year’s Breeders’ Cup. The 21-year-old gelding will take up residence at Old Friends in Lexington, Ky.
Claimed out of his 13th start for $50,000, Lava Man (Slew City Slew) won 17 of his 47 career starts, including three straight editions of the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup (2005-2007), both the 2006 & 2007 editions of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), the 2006 Pacific Classic (G1), and the 2006 Charles Whittingham Memorial (G1).
