Solow won the last ten races he contested before being retired. Picture: Racingfotos.com
Trainer Freddy Head has reluctantly had to call time on the career of brilliant miler Solow.
The grey gelding lit up the QIPCO British Champions Series in 2015 when landing the Queen Anne Stakes, Qatar Sussex Stakes and QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
He looked set for more glory when winning on his return early in 2016 but he suffered a leg injury soon after and never properly recovered.
“We just couldn’t get him back to where he was and didn’t want to risk injuring him again,” Head said on Monday. “He was too good to risk, so we’ve called it a day.
“He won five Group Ones, picking one out is hard, maybe the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood or the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. He was most impressive in Dubai, but that form probably wasn’t as strong.
“To do what he did in those six months, he was a real champion and he retires having won his last 10 races.
“Even in his last race he was impressive, it didn’t look like he could win from where he was. He was one of the best, if not the best, I’ve trained, and I’ve had the likes of Goldikova, Moonlight Cloud and Charm Spirit.
“During those six months I think he was unbeatable. I think he was just by himself. It’s sad but maybe for the best, he’s retired in one piece.”
In all, Solow won 13 of his 18 races and more than £4 million in prize money.
