Godolphin announces Blue Bunting’s retirement
Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes proved to be Blue Bunting’s last start, as Godolphin announced her retirement on Wednesday. It was a short yet impressive career for the Dual Classic champion.
With the earnings of £619,471, she made only eight outings in her career, sealing five victories and a runner-up position. In the last year, the mare performed magnificently, winning the Qipco 1000 Guineas, and Darley Irish Oaks, before stealing the
party in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks.
The four-year-old made her last outing in September, 2011, when she turned in an uncharacteristic sixth place finish on the table. Under jockey Frankie Dettori, she could not unleash her thrill on the course, staying behind throughout the heat.
The rest of the contestants took full advantage of her lethargy, and Blue Bunting was never a fear factor for them. After that embarrassing start, the trainer was working extremely hard for better results ahead, but things suddenly took an unexpected
turn.
While training for the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Blue Bunting picked up a severe leg injury, which eventually became the reason of her retirement. Since the mare requires a long period of time to rehabilitate, her connections have decided to retire
her from the competitive horseracing events.
"Because Blue Bunting would have needed a long period of recuperation before coming back into training, the decision has been made to retire her to stud for an early covering It is a pity Blue Bunting will not have the chance again to show what a brilliant
racehorse she was but we look forward to her becoming a great success at stud," the Godolphin racing manager, Simon Crisford told the operation's website on Wednesday.
Blue Bunting’s sudden retirement was a shocking report for her trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni. The mare won five titles, and the trainer was not reluctant to heap special praise on Blue Bunting.
He shared: "Blue Bunting will be a filly who I will always remember because of what she has done. She gave me my first Classic victory in both Britain and Ireland, and it is both sad and good that she is retiring to stud.”