No Champion Stakes For Anmaat After Injury, Retirement Likely

[Wandering Eyes]

Shadwell's Anmaat is likely to be retired after sustaining a setback preparing for his title defense of the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes later this month, according to racing manager Angus Gold.

The Awtaad gelding won half of his 18 starts including the 2023 G1 Prix d'Ispahan and last year's Champion Stakes. In 2025 alone, he has run second three times at the highest level for trainer Owen Burrows in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Gold told the PA news agency, “Sadly I think we've probably come to the end of the road with him.

“It's not an old injury, he's had various niggles throughout his career, that's why he's been such an amazing horse as he's come back from all these adversities which have been well documented – he had well over a year off at one stage.

“We got him back and he has saved our last two years, he's been a star for us but sadly he didn't come out of Ireland in great shape. He's always been a bit pottery and we hoped it might just be that but it didn't get any better.

“The X-rays showed nothing but when he had an MRI, it showed a tiny little crack in a cannon bone. If he was a young horse you'd maybe put a screw in it and race him on, but he's overcome so much adversity so I think we'll give him an honourable retirement and he'll have a home for life.”

The seven-year-old son of African Moonlight (Halling) earned over $2.2 million and was bred by Ringford Stud. He was picked up for 140,000gns out of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2018.

Added Gold, “He's been a superstar for us, I wish we had a few more like him. It is very rare for them to come back from the injuries he's had and to retain the enthusiasm for his work at seven like he had was extraordinary. The team at Owen's and at Shadwell have done a brilliant job, everyone is very attached to him. We'll miss him. It's sad he couldn't go out at Ascot but he's he's in one piece and we'll look after him now.”

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