He was ruled last year’s Kentucky Derby winner this year. Now Mandaloun is retired.

In three seasons on the racetrack, Mandaloun constructed a resume that included multiple graded stakes victories and more than $2 million in career earnings.

To the breeding shed, the 4-year-old son of Into Mischief, brings a sterling pedigree.

But when Mandaloun was retired to Juddmonte USA in Lexington on Tuesday, his legacy remained most closely associated with a pair of races in which he crossed the finish line second.

Mandaloun’s name for now is etched in the record books as the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, an honor achieved when Medina Spirit was disqualified after a failed postrace drug test. That ruling by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission earlier this year is under appeal.

Mandaloun finished second that day at Churchill Downs by a half-length. Medina Spirit’s victory came under suspicion a week later when a substance banned on race days was found in his system.

Mandaloun’s next attempt at a Grade 1 victory came two months later in the $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. Mandaloun finished second by a nose to Hot Rod Charlie but was declared the winner after Hod Rod Charlie was disqualified for interfering with another horse.

Trainer Brad Cox said there was a reason Mandaloun was always in the running.

“We knew we had something special right out of the box,” Cox said in the news release announcing Mandaloun’s retirement. “He had an exceptional turn of foot yet could carry his speed around two turns.”

Mandaloun did not race again in 2021 after the Haskell but returned to the track in January of this year to win the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds. He then finished ninth in the $20 million Saudi Cup, fourth in the Stephen Foster at Churchill and fourth in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar in his final career race on July 30.

Mandaloun finished his career with six firsts, one second and one third from 12 starts with $2,096,052 in earnings.

Mandaloun will stand at stud at Juddmonte for a $25,000 fee.

“Mandaloun is a true Juddmonte stallion,” said Garrett O’Rourke, general manager of Juddmonte USA. “He is a gorgeous horse who should offer breeders exceptional value when the time comes to sell their yearlings.”

Cox concurred.

“This horse is the entire package,” the trainer said. “I don’t know that I have seen a better-looking son of Into Mischief.”