Bend to stand at Kildangan

Multiple Group One winner Refuse To Bend will retire to stand at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland at the end of the season.

The Sadler’s Wells colt was victorious in last season’s 2000 Guineas when trained by Dermot Weld and has bounced back to form with a vengeance for Godolphin this season with wins in the Queen Anne Stakes and Coral-Eclipse Stakes.

Head of nominations Sam Bullard told www.darleystallions.com: “Refuse To Bend is a fantastically good-looking colt who showed he had the class and speed to win Group Ones at a mile or less at two, three and four.

“He was tough and adaptable and went on any ground.

“We hope he will prove an able replacement for In The Wings at Kildangan.”

Refuse To Bend disappointed in the Sussex Stakes after his success in the Eclipse but then finished third in a high-class renewal of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

His next start will be in the Emirates Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday week, according to Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

“We were really pleased with his run in the QEII at Ascot and he has been really will since. He will now be aimed at the Champion Stakes,” Crisford said.