Melbourne Cup runner-up and three-time Group 1 winning galloper, Incentivise, has been retired.
The six-year-old hadn’t run since finishing second to Verry Elleegant in the 2021 edition of the Cup, with connections confirming a recent setback while recovering from fatigue and injury was the final act in a short but incredible career.
“It's with great sadness that we announce the immediate retirement of our champion racehorse, Incentivise,” owners said in a statement on Saturday.
“The horse had been progressing terrifically well towards a much-anticipated return to racing but suffered another set-back, that whilst not career ending in its own right, was enough for us to call it a day.
“Importantly, Incentivise is not in pain and roaming freely in a paddock at Peter Moody's farm.”
Incentivise record, owners, winnings
Incentivise retires with a record of nine wins and one placing from 13 starts.
The son of Shamus Award and Miss Argyle appeared to come from nowhere, captivating Australian racing with an incredible 2021 season which saw the horse break its maiden over a mile at the Sunshine Coast in April and ended with a Melbourne Cup placing after jumping as 2/1 favourite.
In between, Incentivise claimed nine straight wins, including Group 1 triumphs in the Makybe Diva and Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup.
Initially bred and trained by Steve Tregea, prominent owners Brae Sokolski and Ozzie Kheir purchased a 50 per cent stake in Incentivise and moved him to Melbourne to be trained by Peter Moody ahead of the Spring campaign.
Incentivise retires with over $5.7 million in winnings.
Incentivise 1st day of retirement pic.twitter.com/16G050Wwdn
— Peter Moody (@moodyracingpgm) March 25, 2023
“We would like to give huge thanks to everyone associated with the horse throughout the journey,” owners added.
“Steve Tregea for breeding the horse and training him for much of his career, Peter Moody for taking over the reigns and delivering so much joy to us and the racing public, all the jockeys that rode him during his career but particularly Brett Prebble and of course everyone who put so much of their time and energy into his rehabilitation, particularly Lee Evison and his team.
“We will advise in due course of his retirement home but rest assured the red carpet will be rolled out and he will live out his days in the best possible care.”
