English Derby winner Pour Moi has been retired to Coolmore stud after suffering a serious leg injury.
The Andre Fabre-trained colt had been favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 2 at around 3-1.
However, doubts about his participation started to circulate on Friday night and bookmakers moved to take the Coolmore-owned son of Montjeu out of the market.
“He badly over-reached himself on his off-fore and I’m afraid he won’t run again. It’s difficult to mend,” Fabre told the Press Association.
“What he did at Epsom was amazing, to go from last to first. For a horse to get there so easily, the turn of foot he showed was a sign of great ability.
“I have never trained a middle-distance horse that had such acceleration.”
Fabre said the injury was discovered 48 hours before the announcement of his retirement.
“It happened two days ago and when it was scanned you could see what the damage was,” he said.
“It was deeper than we thought.
“I’m sure he will be a super sire. He’s a beautiful, well-bred colt with a fantastic action and a change of pace.”
Coolmore supremo John Magnier said Pour Moi would be a welcome addition to the stud’s roster.
“While Pour Moi’s injury is a great shame, we are very fortunate to have such a brilliant Derby winner retiring to Coolmore, where he will join two other recent winners of the race in Galileo and High Chaparral,” Magnier said.
Sarafina is now Coral’s 4-1 Arc favourite ahead of Nathaniel at 9-2 with So You Think and Workforce both at 5-1.
PA AAP TURF
