Stress fracture ends Postponed's racing career

Roger Varian's stable star Postponed has been retired after suffering a stress fracture.

The four-time Group 1 winner was kept in training as a six-year-old by owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, but he has made just two unsuccessful starts in Dubai since flopping when sent off favourite for last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Of the King George, Sheema Classic, Coronation Cup and Juddmonte International winner, who was last seen finishing a disappointing third in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Varian said: “Postponed has been a magnificent racehorse to have in the yard and it's been both a pleasure and privilege to oversee the second phase of his career.

"I'm very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid for allowing me that opportunity and to Postponed himself for proving such a willing and talented ally.

“It's a shame for everyone that we won't see him on a racecourse again, and it's especially sad for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who showed such sportsmanship in keeping him in training. Postponed had all the attributes of the complete champion racehorse – the speed, the stamina, and a telling kick. He travelled like a machine."

Postponed and Andrea Atzeni (left) hold off Eagle Top for a thrilling victory in the 2015 King GeorgeCredit: Mark Cranham

He added: “A stress fracture like this wouldn't usually be a career-ending injury – except that it's May and he's six, and we don't want to take unnecessary risks with him.

“He's done us all proud and we owe him a great debt of gratitude.”

Postponed started his career - during which he won nine of 20 starts and amassed £4,995,979 in win and place prize-money - under the care of Luca Cumani. He won a Great Voltigeur, King George and Prix Foy for Cumani before Sheikh Obaid moved his horses across Newmarket to Varian.

His winning run continued for his new stable, with two wins in Dubai – including the 2016 Sheema Classic - before producing the best two performances of his career on Racing Post Ratings. He registered RPRs of 126 when thrashing last year's Arc winner Found by four and a half lengths in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and then when seeing off Highland Reel by a length and a quarter in the Juddmonte International.

Postponed, whose regular rider was Andrea Atzeni, was beaten on his last three starts, flopping in the Arc and then failing to defend either the Dubai City of Gold or Sheema Classic.

Champion Stakes winner Almanzor was the only horse to achieve a higher Flat RPR on a British or Irish racecourse in 2016.

POSTPONED IN NUMBERS

£4,995,979 earnings

126 Highest RPR

124 Official handicap rating

20 Runs

9 Wins

4 Group 1 wins

2 Trainers

TOP TEN EUROPEAN-TRAINED PRIZE-MONEY EARNERS (£)

Cirrus Des Aigles 6,179,490

Treve 6,002,918