Epsom Derby and King George hero Adayar retired aged five as trainer Charlie Appleby says 'he will be missed'

EPSOM Derby and King George hero Adayar has been retired aged five.

The Godolphin-owned middle-distance star will now stand at stud in the hope of producing the next generation of champions.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said the horse 'will be missed' around his Moulton Paddocks yard.

Adayar's final win came at Newmarket in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes last May, while he was well beaten in his final two outings.

That included when being turned over at 1-3 odds in Newmarket's Group 2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes last month.

A statement from Godolphin read: "Adayar, the outstanding Derby winner who went on to become the first since his grandsire Galileo to win the King George in the same year, has been retired from racing.

"The Godolphin homebred took the Epsom Classic by four and a half lengths, before powering to another wide-margin victory at Ascot in the King George.

"In completing the double, he added his name to an illustrious list that includes Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Shergar, Nashwan, Generous, Lammtarra and the aforementioned Galileo."

Trainer Appleby added: "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.

"He has been an absolute pleasure to train.

"He will 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."

Stud plans for Adayar will be announced at a later date.

Adayar won five of his 13 races and amassed a whopping £1,920,217 in prize money.

His biggest moment came under Adam Kirby when the duo combined to land the 2021 Derby at odds of 16-1.

Kirby recently revealed to Sun Racing how his weight battle could cost him his future in the saddle.

In the aftermath of that Derby win, Appleby said: "All credit goes to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and team Godolphin.

"I did feel Adayar was more of a Leger horse and he convinced me to run him in the Derby.

"I'm delighted for Adam. He gave him a fantastic ride and he was hungry to achieve this. Adam knew this horse better than most as he broke him in."

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