Bella Bellini retired

Bella Bellini (Bar Hopping), the 2022 Dan Patch Trotter of the Year and double Breeders Crown champion, has retired from harness racing.

The announcement was made jointly by owner David McDuffee and trainer Nifty Norman to Harness Racing Update, which published it in the Jul. 12 issue.

According to the article, Norman found wear-and-tear on the double-millionaire mare’s knees in an X-Ray after she hadn’t seemed herself so far this year. She was one-for-six with place finishes in the Six Pack and Armbro Flight. Norman said in the article that McDuffee and he made the decision to ensure the horse’s health and welfare and avoid risk of injury. McDuffee and Norman said that they wanted to announce the decision now to preclude the spread of rumours and speculation about the mare missing the upcoming Miss Versatility fourth leg.

Bella Bellini’s final record is 21 wins in 51 starts and $2,255,123 in earnings. McDuffee bred the mare, who was selected as Trotter of the Year last year after a million-dollar campaign that was highlighted by a second Breeders Crown victory. The mare, in her career, also won the Hambletonian Oaks, the Hambletonian Maturity, the Caesars Trotting Classic, the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Final, and five other Grand Circuit finals.

by Harnesslink Media