Injury ends career of leading Guineas hope Fairy Godmother

Fairy Godmother, a scintillating winner at Royal Ascot and second-favourite for this year’s 1000 Guineas, has been retired.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly came from an unpromising position to win the Albany Stakes in June, but did not run again last summer.

Injury kept her out of action and a flare-up of the same problem means instead of preparing for the Classics, she will instead visit one of Coolmore’s flagships stallions in Wootton Bassett.

O’Brien told the PA news agency: “Fairy Godmother has been retired, she just aggravated an old injury.

“It’s not serious at all, but because it’s an injury from last year, we’re going to retire her and send her to Wootton Bassett next week, she’s going to be covered.

“It’s unfortunate, but she just aggravated it so we’ve decided to retire her.”

had been as low as 4-1 for the 1000 Guineas behind Charlie Appleby’s favourite Desert Flower.