Appleby hails champion two-year-old Pinatubo as Godolphin ace is retired

Godolphin have announced the immediate retirement of last year's champion two-year-old and three-time Group 1 winner Pinatubo.

Pinatubo was flawless as a juvenile, winning at the top level in the National Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend and in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. His brilliant performance at the Curragh earned him an official rating of 128, making him the highest rated two-year-old in the last 25 years.

The son of Shamardal lost his unbeaten record in this year's 2,000 Guineas, in which he could only finish third, although he did add further Group 1 honours to his CV when winning the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville in July.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: "It has been a great honour and privilege to train a horse of this calibre and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has taken great pleasure in following his career.

"To have a homebred, especially a descendent of the late Shamardal, is fantastic for the breeding operation and we look forward to seeing him stand at Dalham Hall Stud."

Pinatubo's final career start came in last month's Prix du Moulin at Longchamp when he was a fast-finishing second to Persian King.

Appleby had previously said the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland next month was under consideration for Pinatubo, but connections have instead opted to end his career after ten races. He won seven of them, collecting £966,090 in prize-money.

Sam Bullard, director of stallions, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a horse as exceptional as Pinatubo to the roster at Dalham Hall Stud.

“Last year he carried all before him, most notably in the National Stakes which as we all know was a performance that cannot be matched by any other two-year-olds in the last quarter of a century.

“We were delighted to see him add a third G1 win to his superb record in the Prix Jean Prat and now look forward to him beginning his new career, where we’re confident he can continue Shamardal’s great legacy.”

Charlie Appleby walks alongside Pinatubo as they head to the gallops in NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

'He's the best two-year-old I've trained' – Pinatubo remembered

Pinatubo's nine-length demolition job in last year's Vincent O'Brien National Stakes will be remembered as his career-defining performance on the track.

Speaking after that win at the Curragh, Appleby said: "He's the best two-year-old I've trained, there's no doubt about that.

"I've been very lucky to have some nice two-year-olds through my hands so far but something like him is amazing, because he just doesn't do anything in the mornings.

"I worked him midweek with some of the nicer two-year-olds and [Champagne Stakes runner-up] Royal Crusade put him in his place.

"We only ever see the best of him when he turns up at the track."

More stories on Pinatubo:

'Same class as Palace Pier' – Fabre masterstroke as Persian King sinks Pinatubo

Pinatubo back to winning ways in Prix Jean Prat but Siskin Sussex clash unlikely

Pinatubo set for St James's Palace after losing unbeaten record in Guineas

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