Blue Point retired to stud
Trainer Charlie Appleby (r) has paid tribute to Diamond Jubilee winner Blue Point.
Champion sprinter Blue Point will not race again with Godolphin confirming he will be retired to stud after his wins in the two Group One sprints at Royal Ascot.
Blue Point became the first European-trained horse to win the King’s Stand Stakes and back up four days later to claim the Diamond Jubilee last week.
Australian sprinter Choisir achieved the feat in 2003 when the King’s Stand was a Group Two race.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said Blue Point, who won the 2018 King’s Stand and this year’s Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, would go out on a high.
“Blue Point has had a fantastic week and has managed to succeed where many horses have failed in completing this extraordinary double,” Appleby said on Godolphin’s website.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was very much the instigator behind going for the challenge and was delighted when he won as he had been planning this for some time.
“Blue Point is sound and well, but owes us nothing so we will retire him on a high. He will now enjoy a break over the summer and will then begin his new career at stud.
“Blue Point has a fantastic mind, is a natural athlete and was a pleasure to train. I have every confidence he will, like his sire Shamardal, be a huge success as a stallion.”