I'll Have Another was retired on Friday after doctors found the beginning stages of tendinitis in the front leg, trainer Doug O'Neill said during a press conference on Friday.
Already the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, I'll Have Another was supposed to contend for a triple crown at Saturday's 2012 Belmont Stakes. Instead, the horse will never race again.
"This is extremely tough for all of us. Though it's far from tragic, no one died or anything like that, it's extremely disappointing. I feel so sorry for the whole team. We've had such an amazing run," said O'Neill.
Though I'll Have Another still could have raced at the Belmont and is expected to be fine after a three-to-six month recovery period, his team decided to use caution in deference to the horse's safety.
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