Three-Time Group 1 Winner Al Riffa Retired at Age 6

Joseph O'Brien paid tribute to a "real stalwart of the yard" in Al Riffa (FR) after last year's Irish St. Leger (G1) winner was retired at age 6, having accrued more than £1.4 million in prize money in his 21-race career. The son of Wootton Bassett won five times, three of which came at the top level, and ran to a high level across the world, including in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. His first group 1 victory came on just his third start in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) at the Curragh in 2022, giving Dylan Browne McMonagle his first group 1 success. His next success came two years later, again at group 1 level, when he landed the Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1) at Hoppegarten having finished second to City of Troy in the Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park on his previous start. Last year he finished second to Rebel's Romance (IRE) in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) and landed the Curragh Cup (G2) before winning the Irish St. Leger in decisive fashion by 4 lengths. He subsequently went off a 7-1 shot for the Melbourne Cup (G1) and finished seventh under Mark Zahra before filling the fourth spot in the Hong Kong Vase (G1). Al Riffa had four starts this year with his best effort coming at ParisLongchamp in May when he was a fast-finishing third in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (G1). He was third in the Curragh Cup on his final start in July. "He's been a great horse for us over a number of seasons," O'Brien said. "He's been so consistent at a high level under all types of conditions. We'll be sad to see him go as he was a real stalwart of the yard and you could set your clock by him every year to turn up at the top level." His career was cut short due to a suspensory injury, and he is now expected to start a career at stud.