Darley announce retirement of Hannon star Barney Roy

Royal Ascot winner Barney Roy has had his racing career cut short and is to join the Darley stallion roster at Dalham Hall Stud from February.

The St James's Palace Stakes winner has left Richard Hannon's yard and will stand alongside the likes of Dubawi and Golden Horn in Newmarket at a fee of £10,000.

The son of Excelebration was originally thought to be staying in training at four, with the 2018 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe mooted as a possible target only in August.

In his two years with Hannon, Barney Roy proved himself a top performer over a mile and a mile and a quarter, and defeated 2,000 Guineas winner Churchill, Prix Jean Prat victor Thunder Snow, Racing Post Trophy hero Rivet and consistent Group 1 performer Lancaster Bomber at Royal Ascot in the summer.

Stepped up in trip in the Coral-Eclipse on his next start, Barney Roy went down to Ulysses by just a nose before finishing third behind that rival in the Juddmonte International at York in August.

Barney Roy, who was a winner of his only start at two, was bought by Godolphin last winter and made an impressive debut at three when winning the Greenham. Defending his unbeaten record in the 2,000 Guineas, he ran on gamely to finish second after stumbling in the Dip and being carried across the course.

Hannon said: “Barney Roy is by far the best colt I've trained and the most athletic horse I have seen. We look forward to seeing his yearlings at the sales.”

Sam Bullard, director of Darley stallions, said: “Barney Roy was the leading miler of his generation and ran with great credit over ten furlongs too, beaten only a nose in the Eclipse in a time that would have won him almost any other running.

"We are very proud of the enormous success of Exceed And Excel and his stallion sons, and we're delighted to have the first of his grandsons join the Darley roster.”

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