Leading miler King Of Change has been retired his trainer Richard Hannon announced on Monday evening, with the four year old not been seen since last season.
The colt last season raced four times and truly arose as a horse to be reckoned with having won nicely at Nottingham on his seasonal debut before heading into the 2000 Guineas as a 66/1 shot and finishing a bold second.
From there the son of Farhh took a small break and was unleashed again in September, winning the Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown and that set the colt up perfectly to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champion Day.
However, with the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes were potential targets for him this term and after missing out on them, the writing was on the wall for the Group One winner.
Much the best – King Of Change powers to Queen Elizabeth II glory under @LeveySean for @rhannonracing at @Ascot #ChampionsDay pic.twitter.com/xZqV24K51l
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2019
(Credit ATR) Speaking on his website, www.richardhannonracing.co.uk, the trainer said: “He is without doubt one of the best milers that we have ever trained. His second in the 2000 Guineas was an outstanding effort and he then went on to win the QEII on Champions Day with a performance that I can only describe as impeccable.
“His obvious ability is matched by his physical stature and I am sure he is extremely well equipped to make it as a stallion.“I would like to express my thanks to the Belhab Family for allowing me to train a star like him. It has been a wonderful opportunity and a great pleasure.
“He will be sorely missed by everyone here when he leaves to do his new job and we look forward to following the paths of his offspring for years to come.”
King Of Change will now head to stud with the actual place he will be heading to yet to be announced.