Skelly, a thoroughbred owned by Red Lane, has officially retired from racing following a fifth-place finish in the Ring the Bell Stakes at Oaklawn Park on December 13th. The horse, who earned over $2 million and won two graded stakes, ended his career with an impressive record of 12 wins, seven seconds, and one third out of 25 starts over four racing seasons under trainer Steve Asmussen.
The retirement was announced by Frank Arosa, manager of Red Lane Thoroughbreds, on December 15th via X. Arosa expressed that Skelly deserved a happy and healthy retirement, emphasizing the horse’s value to the owners and the importance of ending his career on a high note.
Skelly, a gelding by Practical Joke, will spend his retirement at Pick View Farm in Ocala, Florida, owned by Joe Pickerell. After the holiday season, he might transition into a new role as a track pony at the same farm. Initially consigned to the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Old Horse Training Sale by Pickview Farm, Skelly nearly sold for $350,000.
Arosa credited Steve Asmussen and his team for their excellent care and training of Skelly from his early two-year-old season until nearly seven years old, assuring fans that the horse will be well looked after for life.
Skelly was purchased for $250,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Selective Yearling Showcase in 2020 and made his racing debut as a three-year-old at Ellis Park in July 2022. After a slow start, he found his stride in spring 2023, winning or placing second in 14 straight races from January 2023 until a 10th place finish at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He competed across six racetracks, including Lone Star Park in Texas and King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia.
Notably, Skelly has a remarkable record at Oaklawn Park, with 10 of his 12 wins occurring there. He made history by winning the Lake Hamilton Stakes in May 2024, becoming the first horse to secure 10 consecutive wins at Oaklawn. Skelly remains the only winner of this stakes race since its inception in 2023.
Bred in Kentucky by H. Allen Poindexter, Skelly is out of Adande, a mare by Bwana Charlie, and is related to graded stakes winners Isotherm and Giant Game.
Fan Take: Skelly’s retirement is a significant moment for horse racing fans, highlighting the importance of horse welfare and the value of a well-managed racing career. His success story, especially his dominance at Oaklawn Park, adds to the sport’s legacy and inspires confidence in the future of thoroughbred racing.
