Dual Classic heroine Blue Bunting is retired

DUAL Classic winner Blue Bunting has been retired, Godolphin announced on Wednesday.

The four-year-old won the Qipco 1,000 Guineas and Darley Irish Oaks last year in a stellar campaign that also included a victory in the Group 1 Darley YorkshireOaks.

Blue Bunting, who will be bred to top Darley stallion Street Cry, incurred a leg injury in training for the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford told the operation's website: "Because Blue Bunting would have needed a long period of recuperation before coming back into training, the decision has been made to retire her to stud for an early covering

"It is a pity Blue Bunting will not have the chance again to show what a brilliant racehorse she was but we look forward to her becoming a great success at stud."

Blue Bunting won five times from eight starts for trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, who also paid tribute to her.

"Blue Bunting will be a filly who I will always remember because of what she has done," he said. "She gave me my first Classic victory in both Britain and Ireland, and it is both sad and good that she is retiring to stud.

"It is sad because I will no longer be training her for the best races but good as, hopefully, I will train her babies. Blue Bunting was an easy filly to train - she knew her business very well - and turned into a top-class racehorse."