High profile colt Zoustar has been retired and his northern hemisphere campaign abandoned due to injury.
Trainer Chris Waller said Zoustar had suffered a small strain to a suspensory ligament which was detected after his first serious piece of work at Lambourn since his arrival in England.
“A minor problem was detected with the horse following his first serious pace work and scans overnight revealed he has a very small strain to a lateral aspect of the proximal suspensory ligament,” Waller said in a statement.
“It is extremely disappointing that we are not able to compete at Ascot and the owners and I are devastated by this. The horse had travelled extremely well to England and for me personally it was the start of what would have been the experience of a lifetime.”
Zoustar will return to Australia to stand at Widden Stud in the spring.
Stud master Antony Thompson said it was disappointing but Widden was looking forward to the breeding season.
“There are some magnificent mares already booked to him but we are very disappointed we don’t get to represent Australia and show him to Europe,” he said.
A dual Group One winner of the Golden Rose and Coolmore Stud Stakes, Zoustar is a son of Northern Meteor who died last year shortly after being named Australia’s champion first season sire.
Waller said he was fortunate to have been involved with the colt.
“The big positive I can take out of all of this is the fact I have been fortunate enough to be involved with an exceptionally talented racehorse and win two Group One races,” he said.
“I know myself this horse is the real deal.”
