Arc de Triomphe runner-up Westover retired after suffering career-ending injury
ARC de Triomphe runner-up Westover has been retired after suffering a career-ending injury.
The Juddmonte-owned four-year-old was a brilliant runner-up to Ace Impact in Paris on Sunday.
But after four wins in 13 races and more than £3.3million in earnings he will not race again.
Juddmonte confirmed in a tweet on Thursday morning that the Ralph Beckett-trained star will now go to stud.
Their post read: “Following his courageous run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Gr 1, last Sunday, Westover has sustained a career-ending injury.
“Stud plans are to be announced at a later date.”
Gutted punters said the news was ‘devastating’ and ‘sad to see’, especially as he appeared to be getting stronger and stronger as a middle-distance star.
Westover was third to Desert Crown in the 2022 Derby having been hampered at a crucial stage under a ride from Rob Hornby.
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Colin Keane was in the saddle when the son of Frankel won the Irish Derby at the Curragh next time out.
He was a brilliant second to Equinox, the world’s highest-rated horse, in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.
Westover’s next win was the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July this year, which came after his runner-up finish to Emily Upjohn in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.
A genuine Group 1 superstar he then went down a head to Hukum in the King George at Ascot before his second place to Ace Impact.
Reacting to news of his sudden retirement, one punter said: “Such a shame. He was just getting better and better.”
Another wrote: “I’m so sad about this. I was looking forward to a great season for him next year.”
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