Bow Echo, unbeaten in six starts and winner of three consecutive G1s this year, has been retired from racing having sustained an injury that will prevent the outstanding performer from returning to the racecourse.
Bow Echo was last seen at his brilliant best, dominating a high-class field in the stallion-making Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, where he maintained his unbeaten record in superb style.
Bow Echo made the perfect start to his racing career at two with a four-and-a-half-length victory at Newbury, before progressing swiftly through the ranks to take the Listed Ascendent Stakes at Haydock. George Boughey's charge announced himself as a live Classic contender at the end of his two-year-old campaign when demonstrating his electric turn of foot to land the G2 Royal Lodge.
This year he has carried all before him, posting an authoritative win in the 2,000 Guineas en route to a thrilling victory in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
His win in the Sussex saw him become only the sixth horse in Pattern history to win the 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace and Sussex in the same season. This was last achieved by Frankel in 2011.
A homebred for the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum, Bow Echo’s pedigree is certainly worthy of a future stallion, being inbred 3X3 to Zomaradah, of course dam of his own outstanding grandsire Dubawi. Bow Echo is out of Aristocratic Lady, a half-sister to two Stakes winners including G1 placegetter Royal Rhyme.
Liam O'Rourke, Director of Studs, Stallions and Breeding said, "While it is very disappointing that we will not get to see Bow Echo on a racecourse again, he has been an outstanding flagbearer for his Champion sire Night Of Thunder and is no doubt one of the most exciting stallions to retire to stud in recent years.
"Although his injury will prevent him from running again, he is otherwise in great health and we are immensely proud of all his achievements.
"Our thanks must go to George Boughey and all the team at Craven House, who have handled him superbly throughout his remarkable career."
Stud plans for Bow Echo will be confirmed at a later date.