After what his connections described in a tweet on X as 'works not showing the same sparkle' as in years prior, the 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) has been retired from racing.
A multiple Group winner in Meydan in addition to his second-place finish to multiple Group 1 winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), he'd last been seen in Canada on Oct. 7, missing victory in Woodbine's GIII Durham Cup S. by half-a-length. A horse for Dubai's dirt courses, his first Group triumph came in 2022 when he took the G3 Jebel Ali Mile Sponsored by Shadwell and he won both rounds of the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge series as the lead up to that World Cup attempt. His career concludes with seven victories and lifetime earnings of over $3-million.
“Unfortunately, Algiers is not showing the same sparkle in his work and we have decided to retire him,” said co-conditioner Simon Crisford in that statement on X through the Gainsborough Thoroughbreds account. “He was a very consistent horse who loved Meydan. He showed his brilliance in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Maktoum Challenge before running a close second in the Dubai World Cup.”
“He will now enjoy a happy retirement and I would like to thank his owners Sultan Ali and Hamdan bin Sultan Ali Alsabousi for their support.”
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