After having given it her all on the racetrack since 2007, Canadian record holder Mystical Starlight will be shifting gears in 2014.

Owner Glen Hobin of Stittsville, Ont. has confirmed with Trot Insider that his classy Credit Winner mare Mystical Starlight has been retired and will make a move to the breeding shed in 2014.

“We made the decision about a month ago, with her about to turn nine and all. We felt it was time,” Hobin told Trot Insider. “She’s raced 179 starts and has been a very game mare every time she has taken to the track. We didn’t want to wait any longer, she’s had enough.”

From her 179 career starts, Mystical Starlight notched 29 wins, 29 second-place efforts and 19 thirds. The bay retires with over $764,000 in purses a mark of 1:53.1, which was taken over the Meadows’ five-eighths-mile oval in 2012 at age seven.

Mystical Starlight is out of the Mr Vic mare Miss Lovely, and one thing is for certain: she made her parents proud. With a knack for the wire, Mystical Starlight carved her name into the Canadian record books in 2010 when she trotted a 1:54.2 mile over Grand River Raceway’s half-mile oval.

“She was just an unbelievable racehorse with personality plus,” said Hobin. “She was just so determined, and gave her best effort every single time she went behind the gate. There were times where she may not have been as sharp as she usually was, but in those instances she would tuck in and then come calling with one heck of a rush from a helmet.”

Mystical Starlight has taken Hobin on quite a ride since he acquired ownership of the mare in the fall of 2010. He has taken the opportunity to go on the road with the mare whenever he has been able to. In turn, Mystical Starlight put her best hoof forward and found much success for all of her connections.

“For the last three years it has been routine for her to hop on the truck, ship to Yonkers in New York and race against some of the top boys on the grounds,” said Hobin, who praised conditioner Ross Croghan and all the other trainers that have been associated with the mare.

With so many impressive performances under Mystical Starlight’s belt, Hobin told Trot Insider that the mare’s top moments are aplenty. Although, he points to her hard-closing mile in this year’s Armbro Flight final and her impressive overland trip in the 2012 Breeders Crown as testaments to her talent, determination and skill.

“She’s going to stay at Birch Creek Farm in New Jersey,” said Hobin. “She was just up the road with Ross Croghan at Gaitway Farm, so she isn’t moving too far. We’re going to give her a little bit of time and then try to breed her to Andover Hall.”