Last season's Dan Patch Award-winning two-year-old male pacing champion, Major In Art, has been retired, co-owner Chester Lebo said Monday

Major In Art's ownership group is working on a deal that could send the colt to Australia to begin his stallion career, although an agreement has not been finalized.

Major In Art, who was yet to race in 2009, was sidelined with a suspensory injury to his left hind leg a month ago.

"That's the game. If you can't take a little heartbreak, there's no sense being in it," Lebo said. "But it is too bad. I'd have liked to see him go against the colts this year and see what he was made of."

Last year, Major In Art won six of 10 races and earned $896,060. His wins included the $1-million Metro Pace at Mohawk Racetrack and $350,000 Woodrow Wilson at the Meadowlands. Trained last season by Justin Lebo, he picked up a third-place cheque in the $820,000 Governor's Cup and closed out his campaign by finishing fourth in the $700,000 Breeders Crown.

He is owned by the Major In Art Stable, based in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. Lebo, Tina Martinez and Jerry Silva make up the ownership group.

"It was in his best interest to go to stud now," Chester Lebo said. "I don't think he would ever come back to what he was. He could race again someday, but never to the level he was. I think this will be the smartest move.”

(Harness Racing Communications)