Champion race mare Vodka, the most successful Japan-bred mare ever has been retired, and will visit the equally incredible Sea the Stars as she begins her new career as a "mom."

Her retirement came after she suffered a nose bleed in an unplaced finish in a warm-up race,prior to the Dubai World Cup.

In countries where anti-bleed medications such as Lasix are allowed,  (The USA, for one) a bloody nose would be a signal to medicate the mare. In Japan, a nosebleed is good enough reason to spare her from any further respiratory or systemic distress.

“When we saw she had a nose bleed again after the race the owner (Yuzo Tanimizu) and I decided to retire her,” Vodka's trainer, Katsuhiko Sumii, told reporters. “It would be wrong to push her. We wanted one final swansong for Vodka but it wasn't to be, unfortunately. Vodka was a true champion. We are deeply grateful to her.”

The[intlink id="403" type="category"]Gods of Racing[/intlink] probably have their own policy when it comes to racing medications. . .