From an emotional standpoint, it’s never easy for an owner when a star Thoroughbred heads to the breeding shed.

But for Michael Lund Petersen, the announcement that his three-time grade 1-winning 5-year-old mare Adare Manor  has been retired included some solace in knowing he enjoyed something special during her four years of racing.

A winner of 10 of 18 starts with five seconds for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Petersen said the decision to retire the $2-million earning daughter of Uncle Mo   was based on Baffert’s belief that she would not be ready for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar.

“We didn’t want to jeopardize the name she made for herself if Bob couldn’t get her back in shape for the Breeders’ Cup,” Petersen said. “We would have loved to run her. She’s 100% healthy.”

So, instead of running at the World Championships, Adare Manor will be sold Nov. 4 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Petersen said he had no interest in retaining a share of her breeding rights or racing her next year.

“I don’t want to deal with that end of the business,” Petersen said about the possibility of breeding her. “I know nothing about it. I will let people who are good at what they are doing handle that.”

Adare Manor won three of her four 2024 starts, including the Aug. 3 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1), which was her last race, Santa Margarita Stakes (G2), and Apple Blossom Stakes (G1). She was second in the Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) to start the year and rates as a top contender for the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Dirt Female depending on what happens in the upcoming Distaff.

In her career, she won eight stakes, including the grade 1 Hirsch twice. She was bred by Town & Country Horse Farms and Gary Broad out of the Giant Gizmo  mare Brooklynsway.