Almanzor | Scoop Dyga

Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}-Darkova, by Maria’s Mon), last year’s Cartier Champion 3-year-old colt, has been retired from racing, Sylvain Vidal, representative of part-owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, confirmed late on Sunday.

“After consultations with Jean-Claude Rouget and the partners, we have come to the difficult decision to retire Almanzor,” said Vidal. “We came into the year with great hopes and expectations for a successful campaign culminating in glory in the [G1 Prix de l’]Arc de Triomphe. Unfortunately with the setback he has had, including the virus spread through the stable earlier this year, it is apparent that he would not be fit enough to challenge for the Arc this year.”

The winner of three of his four starts at two, including the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux, Almanzor notched his first group win in the G3 Prix de Guiche last May, a victory that also kicked off five-race win streak that encompassed the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, G1 Qipco Irish Champion S. and G1 Qipco Champion S., the latter two coming at the expense of G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Last October Haras d’Etreham, which bred Almanzor and sold him for €100,000 as a yearling, bought back into the colt in partnership with SF Bloodstock.

Almanzor’s 4-year-old debut was significantly delayed after he was affected by an EHV-1 outbreak in Rouget’s stable, and he made the lone start of his campaign when beating just one home in last week’s G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron.

“We all remember his three Group 1 wins at three including his amazing finish in the Irish Champion S.,” Vidal added. “The best horse in Europe in 2016 with a rating of 126, he has huge potential as a stallion. Decisions regarding his career at stud will be made and announced at a later date.”

fonte : TDN