"He has been a great horse, owned by top people, so they made the decision to retire him because he has nothing left to prove."
Especially after this season, when Smolda turned back time and won over $1million, highlighted by his Inter Dominion victory in Perth where he simply ran harder for longer than his younger, faster opponents.
On a track where he never looked entirely comfortable, it was a triumph of belligerence over brilliance.
He almost added another pacing's mega races with a narrow second to old foe Lennytheshark in the Miracle Mile and became the only horse to beat Lazarus and Lennytheshark in the same race when he crushed them in the Ballarat Cup.
"Those sort of races sum him up, he is just a great old warrior," said Purdon.
"He was a wonderful young horse, with his Jewels win at three something pretty special.
"Then he had some issues in the middle of his career, with a virus and a burst blood vessel in his leg and most horses wouldn't have come back after spending so long away from the track.
"But he really wanted to be there and had great will to win. He isn't the fastest or best horse I have trained but he would be one of the bravest."
As epic as his 32-win career worth over $2.5million was, Smolda's trophy haul could have been even greater, with only an early gallop costing him in the New Zealand Cup last season while he was also placed in a Victoria Cup, Auckland Cup and two Derbys.
"While it will be said to see him leave the stable he will probably go back to Australia where the Kirkwoods, who part own him, will give him a lovely home for the rest of his life," said Purdon.
"And I'm thrilled he got to have the season he just has, so people will remember what a great horse he was."
SMOLDA
Breeding: Courage Under Fire-Under The Mattress.
Record: 68 starts, 32 wins, 23 placings, $2,558,544 in stakes.
Group ones: Inter Dominion Final, Hunter Cup, Len Smith Mile, 3-y-o Jewels, Ballarat Cup (twice), NSW Derby, South Australia Cup, Bohemia Crysyal F-F-A.
