'End of an era' as top-class Roksana retired for broodmare duties

Owner Sarah Faulks has described Roksana as her "horse of a lifetime", with the hugely accomplished hurdling mare set for a breeding career after trainer Dan Skelton noticed a small developing suspensory issue in the lower part of her leg.

Faulks and husband Nigel's north Devon farm will be the next port of call for the nine-year-old, whose first major moment came when landing the mares' hurdle at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.

Roksana ran in the same race twice more, picked up two Grade 2 events last term and also finished just a neck second to Thyme Hill in what was to prove her final start in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree in April.

"It's the end of an era," said Faulks. "She's absolutely fine - I think it was Dan being meticulous and she just had a tiny flag, that if we hadn't taken notice something would have happened.

"She was actually probably going to go stud after last season had we got into the horse we wanted to go to. We decided to go back because, as Dan always says, she's a racehorse before she's a broodmare, and this was the first time ever she's told us she wasn't.

"It's really out of a huge abundance of caution and, fair credit to Dan, he spotted it so quickly and that's it. But she'll be fine, she's sound as a pound."

The Faulks family bought Roksana, a daughter of Dubai Destination who was bred in Ireland by John O'Leary. She also landed the mares' final at Newbury among six wins and £280,849 in prize-money.

"At the moment I haven't got a stable for her, I've got to do some movements, but she'll be coming home soon," said Sarah Faulks.

"I can't wait to have her and I can't wait for the next stage of her career. There's one [stallion] we'd very much like to go to if we can, but I don't know for sure we've been accepted yet.

"I think she's been a once-in-a-lifetime horse for me, Nigel and our boys, the whole team here at the stud. She's given us so much pleasure, we couldn't have asked for a better mare. She's been sound, so consistent, and just a joy really.

"She has got that feisty bit about her but she'll be well let down and relaxed. She knows who she likes and who she doesn't like - but she likes me and she likes the Skeltons anyway!"

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