Injury forces Arctic Owl retirement

Arctic Owl, winner of the Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St Leger in 2000, has been forced into premature retirement after the recurrence of an old injury.

“Arctic Owl has had a recurrence of the old tendon injury which he sustained in the Melbourne Cup (fifth behind Brew) in November 2000 and he has been retired,” trainer James Fanshawe announced.

The eight-year-old had been quoted at 8-1 for this year’s Curragh Classic on Saturday.

The Newmarket trainer nurtured Arctic Owl back to fitness after his injury and on his third start on the Flat (finished fourth on his only outing over hurdles at Doncaster in January) since Flemington scored in good style at Windsor last month.

Fanshawe went on: “Obviously it’s sad that he’s had a recurrence of that tendon problem as he won the Irish Leger two years ago and was my first Classic winner.

“At least we’ve retired him at home having won his last race rather than breaking down on the track.

“Although he won his last race nicely at Windsor last time he probably never really came back after being injured.”

He said: “He’s been a grand servant. He was a horse who improved every year we had him until he won the Irish Leger in 2000.

“He’ll have some time off now and we’ll definitely find him a good home.”