Wise Dan, the time US Horse of the Year, has been retired.

Wise Dan was expected to make his awaited return to racing next week in the GI Woodbine Mile but a tendon setback has brought an end to his career according to his trainer Charlie LoPresti.

“We noticed some filling in his tendon when we were giving him a bath. The vet suggested we scan it and it turns out he has a tear on the outside edge of his tendon,” LoPresti said.

The injury is not related to the ankle injury which sidelined Wise Dan after he won the GI Shadwell Turf Mile last October.

Lo Presti said he had consulted owner Morton Fink about whether he should persevere with the champion turf performer.

“Mr. Fink and I talked about it and we’ve all decided he should be retired at this age,” LoPresti said.

“There’s no point trying to bring him back again. I expect he’ll retire to our farm here in Kentucky.”

Wise Dan was named Horse of the Year in 2012 and 2013 when he was also named Eclipse champion grass horse and champion older horse in both seasons.

The eight-year-old’s career highs were two wins in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile.

He retires with 23 wins from 31 starts and earnings of $7,552,920.