The Chosen Vron, the 2023 and 2024 California-bred Horse of the Year, has been retired from racing, The BloodHorse reported Monday.

Trainer Eric Kruljac told the magazine the decision was made because of “wear and tear.”

A gelding ridden in his biggest victories by Hector Berrios, The Chosen Vron won 19 of 25 starts and $1.7 million in purses, all but one win coming at the stakes level. At age 6 last year, he won the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar for the second time, before finishing second in the Pat O’Brien on Aug. 24 in what turned out to be his final race.

Hopes of a Breeders’ Cup victory were dashed when The Chosen Vron was ordered withdrawn from the November event after a mandatory veterinary exam. Kruljac said at the time he didn’t think the physical problem was that severe, but the trainer soon said the horse had an ankle injury and would get time off. The plan then was for a return to racing later this year.

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