Arc runner-up Westover retired after suffering career-ending injury

05 October 2023 , 10:00

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Westover after taking the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Image: PA)

Arc runner-up Westover has been retired after suffering a career-ending injury on Sunday.

The four-year-old, who went on to win last year’s Irish Derby after finishing an unlucky third in the Derby at Epsom, won more than £3.3 million in prize-money.

He chased home Japanese superstar Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March, filled the runner-up spot in the Coronation Cup in June and claimed his second Group 1 win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud before being narrowly beaten by Hukum in a thrilling renewal of the King George at Ascot in July.

Having found only the brilliant Ace Impact too strong in Paris last weekend, owner-breeders Juddmonte had been targeting major prizes on foreign soil before the end of 2023 – but they have now had to prematurely call time on the son of Frankel’s racing career.

“It’s devastating news, unfortunately he suffered a career-ending injury on Sunday and he’ll have to be retired,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

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“Long-term he’ll be fine and he’ll be OK for a stallion career, but we had such good days with him this year and last year, we had an exciting end to the season planned and we were all very excited about it. Unfortunately it’s come to an end.

“We were looking at the Breeders’ Cup and we actually only entered him in the Japan Cup on Tuesday. We were planning on doing a bit of travelling and seeing a bit of the world with him, but unfortunately that’s not to be.”

Beckett said: “I am very proud of the horse and what he has achieved, he gave his all every day at home and on the racecourse and we will all miss him.”

Jon Lees