Curtain comes down on Act One's career

French Derby runner-up Act One has suffered a leg injury and is to be retired to stud, trainer Jonathan Pease has announced.

The three-year-old, who was to have taken on Vodafone Derby hero High Chaparral in the Budweiser Irish Derby, sustained the injury on Sunday.

"Act One suffered a hairline fracture of his hind cannon bone while doing a routine exercise on Sunday," Pease said in a statement.

"Although the horse is expected to make a complete recovery it will not be possible to prepare him for an autumn campaign."

The grey son of In The Wings was unbeaten in three races as a two-year-old, ending the campaign by defeating subsequent French 2000 Guineas winner Landseer in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.

He also won his first two starts as a three-year-old with victories in the Prix Greffulhe and the Prix Lupin but lost his 100% record in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly when beaten a length and a half by Sulamani. That was to prove his final race.

Act One, whose owner Gerald Leigh died at the weekend, is to stand at stud in England.

Said Pease: "It was Gerald Leigh’s wish that Act One be syndicated to stand at stud in England after his three-year-old season.

"Therefore these plans will be brought forward and Act One will be retired to stud in England. James Wigan will be handling arrangements for his stud career."