Arc Winner Bluestocking Retired From Racing

Jockey Rossa Ryan has hailed Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Bluestocking (GB) "a filly of a lifetime" after it was revealed Oct. 28 that she will be retired. The Ralph Beckett-trained 4-year-old defeated Aventure (IRE) by 1 1/4 lengths in the Longchamp showpiece Oct. 6 and will take up her new career at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket. Bluestocking finished out of the first three just twice in her 13-race career and also struck at the top level in the Pretty Polly (G1) at the Curragh and the Prix Vermeille (G1) at Longchamp this year. Judmmonte also announced the Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana (GB), an impressive winner of the Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) on Champions Day Oct. 19, will stay in training next year. Ryan rode Bluestocking in nine of her 13 starts, including throughout her 4-year-old campaign. He said: "She was a filly of a lifetime and has taken me to places where I never thought I would even dream about. To have been associated with her was an honor and a privilege and I hope she's half as good a broodmare as she was a racehorse. "She had a great constitution, danced every dance, and took everything we threw at her—she just got better and better and wanted more. "It was a fairytale ending in the Arc and a day I'll never forget. To be bridesmaid throughout her 3-year-old career and then come out and win the races she did at 4 was a credit to everyone at Juddmonte and everyone at Ralph's, who are the unsung heroes." Bluestocking failed to win in six starts at 3—despite creditable placed efforts in the Ribblesdale (G2), Irish Oaks (G1), and Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day—but took her form to the next level as a 4-year-old. Ryan said: "She definitely improved from 3 to 4 and as the year went on. It just seemed like the tougher the task got, the more she thrived off of it. She bounced out of every race better and better. "Her unraced sisters have done well as broodmares, so hopefully she'll be just as good if not better." In a press release announcing the retirement, Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon said: "Bluestocking has given so much enjoyment over the last three seasons and we thank Ralph Beckett and his team at Kimpton Down Stables who have done such an excellent job with her."