LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Palace Malice, winner of last year’s Belmont Stakes, is retiring after a deep bone bruise in his left hind leg was discovered.

Cot Campbell, president of Dogwood Stable, said Friday that the 4-year-old horse was examined a day earlier at a veterinary hospital in Lexington.

He says the vet suggested that Palace Malice could continue to race as a 5-year-old after the injury healed, but the stable decided on retirement instead. Campbell says breeding operations that earlier expressed interest in him will be contacted.

Palace Malice had seven wins, four seconds and a third in 17 career starts and earnings of $2,676,135. He won the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap and earned victories in three Grade 2 races — the Jim Dandy, Gulfstream Park Handicap and the New Orleans Handicap. He was trained by Todd Pletcher and based in New York during his career.

Palace Malice finished sixth as the heavy favorite in the Whitney on Aug. 2 at Saratoga in his last race. His sire was two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

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