West Point Thoroughbreds' Grade I winner Ring Weekend (Tapit–Free the Magic, by Cryptoclearance) has been retired sound from racing and will be retrained for a second career with Olympian Phillip Dutton. Ring Weekend, who annexed the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. for trainer Graham Motion in 2015, retires with a record of 8-5-4 from 33 starts and total earnings of $1,571,576.
“While Ring Weekend is still sound and competitive, it's time to hang up his cleats and let him move onto new frontiers,” said West Point president Terry Finley. “The partners and West Point team are forever grateful for him showing up time and time again. He did it the right way for far longer than most of today's horses. We're incredibly grateful for Graham and his team for the job they've done with him over the past five years and for their role in his transition to a new career.”
Ring Weekend won a total of six graded stakes throughout his career. Dutton was part of the partnership that campaigned the gelding on the racetrack. He recently welcomed Ring Weekend to his farm in West Grove, Pennsylvania.
“It's really cool that Phillip [Dutton] was able to be part of Ring's racing career, and now has him for the next phase of his life,” said Motion. “He's a special horse who knows he's a good one, and we'll miss having him in the barn.”
Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway, Ring Weekend was acquired by West Point and Vinnie Viola's St. Elias for $310,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
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