Anmaat ruled out of Champion Stakes defence

Anmaat could have run his last race after suffering a setback in his preparations for the defence of his Qipco Champion Stakes title.

The Owen Burrows-trained seven-year-old has been a credit to connections and while he is without a win this year, he has finished second in three Group Ones.

With the ground likely to be in his favour for the first time this season at Ascot, connections had been counting down the days, however, this latest injury could now signal his retirement.

Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell, 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.

“He hasn’t run a bad race this year. He ran very well at the Curragh, ran a fabulous race at Ascot behind Ombusdman and then ran a good race the other day against Delacroix.

“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.”