Prescott’s Archeroine retires
ALPINISTA has been retired after an injury ruled the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine out of her intended swansong in the Japan Cup.
The Sir Mark Prescott-trained mare, who carried the colours of her owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing (left) to six Group 1 victories — culminating in Europe’s middle-distance championship at Longchamp last month — was due to sign off in Tokyo on Sunday week.
But Prescott reported yesterday: “She had a bit of heat in her leg last night. When I looked at her first thing this morning I wasn’t happy, so that’s it — she retires.
“She’s been marvellous and hasn’t been beaten for two years. She won
six Group 1s in three different countries, and she’s been fantastic.”
Alpinista, who will join the broodmares at Rausing’s Lanwades in Newmarket, stood to win a $3million bonus — in addition to the ¥4m first prize — if successful in the Japanese capital.
“The terrible thing is the Japanese have bent over backwards to help us — and I feel very guilty,” added the 74-year-old Prescott, who shrugged off talk of his own retirement. “Yes, I’ll continue,” he said.
“If you are a trainer you have to take these things in your stride.
“it is much harder for the owner and much harder for the girl who looks after her. If you are a trainer, you are used to disaster!”