'He has been an absolute pleasure to train' - 2021 Derby and King George winner Adayar retired

Adayar, who provided Adam Kirby with a breakthrough Derby success two years ago, has been retired to stud following a tame effort at Newmarket this month.

Godolphin's homebred also landed the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2021, but has not scaled those heights since and disappointed at 1-3 in the Princess of Wales's Stakes last time.

“Adayar provided the team with two outstanding days on the racecourse at Epsom and Ascot and has been a firm favourite in the yard for the past three seasons," said trainer Charlie Appleby. 

"He has been an absolute pleasure to train. He'll be sorely missed at Moulton Paddocks but we look forward to watching him in his new career at stud and are quite sure he will be a huge success.”

No stud plans have been announced for Adayar, who was overlooked by William Buick when he rode Hurricane Lane in the Derby, allowing Kirby to enjoy the greatest moment of his career.

Kirby had been due to ride John Leeper for Ed Dunlop, but was replaced by Frankie Dettori, which led to Oisin Murphy being taken off Adayar.

Adayar: Derby winner under Adam Kirby in 2021Credit: Edward Whitaker

In the Derby, Kirby and Adayar, who went off a 16-1 shot, enjoyed a smooth passage and powered away from outsider Mojo Star to win by four and a half lengths, with Hurricane Lane third.

Buick, Appleby's stable jockey, was back in the saddle for the King George, in which the son of Frankel repelled the high-class Mishriff and Love.

However, he was beaten in the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Champion Stakes and was off until September last year when he landed a conditions race at Doncaster.

Another defeat in the Champion Stakes followed and, although Adayar struck in the Gordon Richards Stakes on his return this campaign, he was third in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot before his run at Newmarket.

He won once at two, strolling home by nine lengths at Nottingham in a maiden and earned £1,920,217 in prize-money.

Read more . . .

King George tips: why this horse can win the big Group 1 at Ascot - including five picks for one contender 

2023 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot: the runners, the odds, the verdict  

Racing Post Members' Club: subscribe for just £9.99 this summer 

The Big Kick-Off 2023-24: get your 80-page edition in the Racing Post on Monday, July 31 – or you can pre-order your copy here.