Deacon Blues career over and Farhh will miss Ascot

Retirement now beckons for Deacon Blues. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

James Fanshawe, trainer of one of the most promising British sprinters for several years, has had to call time on Deacon Blues’ racing career.

Injured on the gallops prior to the start of last season after winning five races on the bounce in 2011, starting with the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot and finishing with the QIPCO British Champions Sprint over the same course and distance, Fanshawe was slowly bringing him back to peak fitness when injury struck this morning.

"The injury wasn’t as bad as we had imagined when it was scanned although it will prevent him from running again," said Fanshawe this morning.

"He can be found a good home. The owners gave him every chance but these things happen in racing."

Also injured is the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Farhh, who routed his opponents in the JLT Lockinge Stakes last month.

He will miss Royal Ascot, seemingly leaving the opening race, the Queen Annne Stakes, at the mercy of USA star Animal Kingdom.

Hopes are high that Farhh will return later in the year, however.