A devastating week for the equine stars of Flat racing continued on Tuesday when it was announced that Poet’s Word had suffered an injury and will not be seen again in public this year. The news followed two days after the retirements of Alpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior, who were found to have leg problems after running on Saturday.
“Poet’s Word has sustained an injury and will not be able to race again this year,” said the horse’s trainer, Sir Michael Stoute. “His owner, Saeed Suhail, will soon be coming to England and will make a decision on his future.”
Retirement must be long odds-on for Poet’s Word, following a summer in which he vaulted from near obscurity to being one of the best. A five-year-old, he started his year with a good run in defeat in Dubai and then won the Brigadier Gerard, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the King George.
His Royal Ascot success was especially memorable for his defeat of Cracksman, a 2-5 shot who had gone unbeaten for almost a year. Poet’s Word ended his season, and possibly his career, with a frustrating second place in the Juddmonte International, when he met trouble in running before chasing home Roaring Lion.
He had been expected to line up for the Champion Stakes back at Ascot next month, for which he was a 9-2 shot. He was also quoted in betting on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Sandown 1.40 Saaheq 2.10 Al Mikdam 2.40 Good Fortune 3.15 Wadilsafa (nap) 3.50 Lush Life 4.20 Thunderbolt Rocks 4.55 Hyperactive 5.25 Arendelle
Beverley 1.50 Champagne Clouds 2.20 Mot Juste 2.50 Cavalry Park 3.25 Matewan 4.00 Summer Blossom 4.30 Entertaining Ben 5.05 Ferrier 5.35 Moretti
Yarmouth 2.00 Princess Keira 2.30 Royal Meeting 3.00 Awe 3.35 Winter Lightning (nb) 4.05 Croque Monsieur 4.40 Piece Of History 5.10 Encore D'Or 5.40 Perfection
Kelso 4.10 Falak 4.45 Oighear Dubh 5.15 Rory's Valentine 5.45 Cubomania 6.15 Go Another One 6.45 Miss Aloud
