Arc contender and 'warrior' Wonderful Tonight suffers serious gallops injury

Trainer David Menuisier has been dealt a huge blow after being forced to retire star filly Wonderful Tonight through injury.

Wonderful Tonight, who was being prepared for Sunday's Qatar Prix Foy before a tilt at next month's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, was found to have suffered a condylar fracture to her right-hind fetlock following morning exercise on Friday.

Menuisier said: "She has been retired as she broke her right-hind fetlock this morning. She exercised as normal and came back absolutely fine, but when she cooled down three hours later, she started to feel some pain in her right-hind fetlock. We contacted the vet straight away and found a condylar fracture.

"It's a big loss, but the filly will be saved. It's now a matter of getting that fixed and she'll become a broodmare."

David Menuisier with his leading light Wonderful Tonight: 'We've had great times with her'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Owned by music mogul Chris Wright, Wonderful Tonight was a revelation for connections, providing her French trainer with his second Group 1 success in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp last October.

Two weeks later, she then gave West Sussex-based Menuisier a maiden top-flight victory in Britain in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.

This season – with her campaign revolving around the Arc, for which she had been a 12-1 chance – Wonderful Tonight returned with victory in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

She went on to win the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Glorious Goodwood before a below-par display when fourth behind Snowfall in last month's Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

Menuisier was not deterred by the defeat at York on ground quicker than ideal, as last year Wonderful Tonight improved markedly when conditions turned in her favour in the autumn.

A filly with a high cruising speed and lethal turn of foot, Wonderful Tonight excelled on a testing surface and posted her two best Racing Post Ratings at Ascot in the Fillies & Mares (119) and Hardwicke (120).

She was under consideration for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes in July before being withdrawn on the morning of the race due to the good to firm ground.

Although William Buick had been aboard the four-year-old on her last four starts, his commitments with Godolphin meant her team had lined up Olivier Peslier for the Arc, with the French jockey booked for the Prix Foy as well.

Wonderful Tonight was due to travel over to France on Saturday morning, with Longchamp on Sunday acting as a stepping stone to the Arc.

Instead, Menuisier was left to reflect on the achievements of the best horse he has had in his care.

"We've had great times with her and will live forever with those happy memories," he said. "We've been extremely lucky for a filly like her to be with us and share our lives for two years.

"She gave me a first Group 1 in my native country, a first Group 1 in the UK, first Royal Ascot winner and a Glorious Goodwood victory. I can't pick one out – they were all fantastic moments.

"She was amazing to train, a real character, and just a warrior. She looks a million dollars and we're grateful to have those memories, and look forward to seeing her babies."

Wonderful Tonight, who is by Le Havre out of Salvation, was bought as a yearling for €40,000. She won six of her 11 starts, amassing £636,838 in prize-money.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Paddy Power: 9-4 Snowfall, 7-2 Adayar, 5 Tarnawa, 7 Hurricane Lane, 10 St Mark's Basilica, 12 Mishriff, 14 Chrono Genesis, 20 Raabihah, Love, 33 bar

Read more on Wonderful Tonight:

'I think she won like a good horse' – Wonderful Tonight is magnificent again

'There has been a mix-up' – Wonderful Tonight's trophy goes missing at Goodwood

'What a filly' – Wonderful Tonight a Royal Ascot first for delighted connections

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