Septimus: has not raced since finishing 18th in last year's Melbourne Cup
PICTURE: Martin LynchSeptimus ruled out of Breeders' Cup Marathon
RETIREMENT for top-flight stayer Septimus moved a step closer after Aidan O'Brien on Wednesday ruled out the eight-time winner from the Breeders' Cup Marathon, for which he was favourite, at Santa Anita next month.
A multiple Pattern-race winner, who achieved Group 1 success when landing the Irish Field St Leger by 13 lengths last season, Septimus has not raced since finishing 18th of 24 in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington a year ago.
He returned sore from Australia and was given plenty of time to recover with a view to an autumn campaign this year.
O'Brien, who retired his number-one staying star Yeats this month, told Racingpost.com on Wednesday evening: "It has been decided not to send Septimus to California for the Breeders' Cup Marathon, and he's not going to run this year."
