The Chosen Vron, a two-time California-bred Horse of the Year, has been retired due to wear and tear and an ankle injury that has not fully healed. Co-owner John Sondereker and trainer Eric Kruljac made the decision to let the 7-year-old gelding recover and transition into a second career at Katie Fisher’s ranch in Solvang.

The decision to retire The Chosen Vron was made to prevent further injury to the horse, who has been a standout in his racing career with 18 stakes victories and earnings of $1,709,678. The partners who bred and raced him, including Sondereker, Richard Thornburgh, and Robert Fetkin, credit trainer Eric Kruljac for much of the horse’s success.

The Chosen Vron will be sent to Kingfisher Farms for rehabilitation and to potentially find a second career, possibly as a therapy horse. Sondereker expressed gratitude for the horse’s contributions and is happy that he will be in good hands at Fisher’s ranch. Kruljac also expressed fondness for The Chosen Vron, calling him a sweet horse to be around and reflecting on the great ride they had together.