Multiple highweight and MG1SW Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})–Another Storm, by Gone West) has been retired, Racing Post reported Tuesday afternoon. The 6-year-old entire was due to contest the G1 Irish St Leger on Sunday, but trainer Aidan O'Brien opted to call time on the three-time Group 1 winner's career.
“We've decided to retire Order of St George,” O'Brien told Racing Post. We did not want to be greedy and risk him on Sunday. It's nothing serious, just age has caught up with him, and we thought it was the right thing to do for the horse.”
Bred by Paget Bloodstock in Ireland and a $550,000 Keeneland September yearling, Order of St George raced initially for Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier, with G1 Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams buying in shortly before he started his 2016 season.
Order of St George scored in two editions of the G1 Irish St Leger and once in the G1 Gold Cup. Highweighted in Europe at 14 furlongs and above from three to five, the Ballydoyle runner was also second in the 2016 Irish St Leger and third in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe behind stablemates Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). In 2017, the then 5-year-old played bridesmaid in the Gold Cup and claimed his second St Leger victory, with a fourth in the Arc prior to his 2017 finale, a win in the G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. Once again Europe's top stayer, with a highweight title in Ireland from 11-14 furlongs to boot, Order of St George landed the G3 Vintage Crop S. to kick off 2018 in April and won a listed race at Leopardstown in May before a dour fourth in the G1 Gold Cup. He earned $2,821,488 with a mark of 25-13-6-1.
Added O'Brien, “Order of St George was a incredible horse. He was a big, strong animal who was always very clean-winded. He was an incredible stayer but had the class to be competitive in an Arc. He was versatile both in terms of ground and trip.”
Order of St George is a half-brother to French Group 3 winner Asperity (War Chant), Swedish SW Sehoy (Menifee) and Grade III heroine Angel Terrace (Ghostzapper), as well as a full to the Australian Group 3 placed Kellstorm (Ire). His second dam is U.S. champion juvenile filly Storm Song (Summer Squall), who was also a two-time Grade I winner, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. He will stand as a National Hunt stallion for Coolmore in 2019.
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