Middle Park winner bought by Godolphin and retired to stud

The Last Lion, who bookended a remarkable two-year-old campaign with victories in the Brocklesby and Group 1 Middle Park, has been retired to stand at Darley's Kildangan Stud having been purchased by Godolphin.

The Mark Johnston-trained juvenile delivered a first top-flight success for weighing room stalwart Joe Fanning – on the day of his 46th birthday – at Newmarket last month on what was the colt's tenth appearance of the season.

The son of Choisir, who was owned by former William Hill boss John Brown and partner Megan Dennis, won four of his starts – which also included the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton – and the stable was looking forward to races such as next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas and the Commonwealth Cup before the purchase and subsequent retirement decision.