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Saudi Cup bid ruled out as Saffron Beach forced to retire

3 minute read

Plans for Saffron Beach to contest the Saudi Cup in Riyadh have had to be scrapped after a dirty scope brought a premature end to the five-year-old's track career.

SAFFRON BEACH winning the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Saffron Beach was a dual Grade One winner on the track, in the Sun Chariot Stakes and the Prix Rothschild, and her new connections are now hoping that the mare can produce something of a similar ilk after her planned meeting with Frankel.

She raced in the colours of Ben and Ollie Sangster and James Wigan, and was also a Royal Ascot winner last year in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

The partnership sent her to Tattersalls in November where she raised a mammoth 3,600,00 guineas when bought by Najd Stud with the aim of winning the Saudi Cup.

However, that has had to be written off due to a dirty scope and her racing days are over after the setback.

Jane Chapple-Hyam tweeted: "After a routine scope that was unsatisfactory for travel to the Saudi Cup, Saffron Beach has been retired from racing and will now visit Frankel at Juddmonte Farms.

"I wish to think Prince Faisal Bin Khaled and his team for entrusting me with her training and wish her all the best for her breeding career."