French 2,000 Guineas winner Victor Ludorum retired to stand at Haras du Logis

Victor Ludorum, the winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere for Andre Fabre and Godolphin, has been retired from racing and will stand at Haras du Logis in Normandy for 2022.

Godolphin's homebred son of Shamardal was one of three unbeaten juvenile Group 1 winners in 2019 for the late sire, alongside Pinatubo and Earthlight, who have stood their first seasons at Darley's Dalham Hall and Kildangan Stud respectively.

Unbeaten in three starts at two, including when seeing off the likes of subsequent Criterium International winner Alson and Armory at Longchamp, Victor Ludorum built on his seasonal comeback third in the Prix de Fontainebleau at three with a straightforward success in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

Also third to Mishriff in the Prix du Jockey Club, Victor Ludorum won the Prix Messidor this term and was also third to Baaeed in the Prix du Moulin last month. The four-year-old won five of his 14 starts and over £670,000 in prize-money.

Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation owned and bred Victor LudorumCredit: Edward Whitaker

Victor Ludorum is the fifth foal out of the winning and Group-placed Kaldounevees mare Antiquities and a full- or half-brother to three winners including the stakes-winning Irish Oaks third Mary Tudor and dual scorer Ancient History.

Sam Bullard, Darley director of stallions, said: "Victor Ludorum was a great credit to the Godolphin team – a homebred Classic winner who was exceptional at two.

"We’re delighted to be standing him in France, scene of all his races. He hails from a particularly exceptional stallion-making family and has every chance of being a great stallion son of Shamardal."

Julian Ince added: "I'm thrilled Darley is entrusting such a wonderful horse to the Haras du Logis. And, of course, it's tremendous for the French breeding community. Bred by Godolphin and masterfully trained by Andre Fabre, Victor Ludorum has been a wonderful horse to watch.

"We've all been so excited by him. A great-looking colt, with a fantastic pedigree – and such a talent!

"Unbeaten at two and brilliant in the Poule d'Essai – that's exactly what his sire Shamardal achieved, and we'll be hoping Victor Ludorum will be just as successful at stud."

Victor Ludorum’s fee will be announced at a later date.

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