Multiple Group 1 Winner State of Rest Retired
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Photo: Mathea Kelley
State of Rest: Prince of Wales's winner will not travel to Australia
State of Rest will not defend his Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) crown and has been retired immediately, trainer Joseph O'Brien has announced.
The 4-year-old globetrotter, who also won the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot this summer, had been aimed at a defense of his Moonee Valley crown in October, but an MRI scan conducted by Racing Victoria found an issue, meaning he will not pass the necessary protocols to travel to Melbourne.
O'Brien said: "Everyone here at Carriganog Racing is so disappointed that State Of Rest's racing career has come to a sudden end. He was without question a remarkably talented, durable, and consistent performer. We asked a huge amount of him throughout his career and he delivered every time.
"He won group/grade 1 races on three different continents in the face of a wide variety of tracks, ground conditions, and race tempos. It all came alike to him. He had the most incredible constitution and will to win.
"We'll miss him greatly, but we look forward to training his progeny in the years ahead."
The Starspangledbanner colt only won once in six starts as a 2-year-old but developed into a hardened performer at the top level, winning the Saratoga Derby (G1T) in America and the Cox Plate in Australia as a 3-year-old.
He then enhanced his reputation nearer to home with two European group 1 races this season, first in the Prix Ganay (G1) at Longchamp and then under a superb front-running ride by Shane Crosse in the Prince of Wales's.
State of Rest with Shane Crosse in the irons wins the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
Crosse said: "It's tough. He was an amazing horse and has done it all, really. It's a shame he had to go out this way, but at least he's safe and sound. He was a great horse and I'm just delighted to have been part of the story."
State of Rest provided Crosse with his first Royal Ascot winner as well as his first group 1 winner in France.
"Ascot was a day I'll never forget," Crosse said. "I'll do well if I ever find one like him. I'm just very grateful to Joseph and everyone who was involved in the ownership of him to give me the chance to ride him; he was just brilliant."
Crosse partnered State of Rest on what proved to be his last start, when he finished a disappointing eighth of nine in this month's Prix du Haras de Fresnay Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1). He earned connections just over £2.9 million (US$3.8M) in prize money.