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Top Trip, winner of the Group 2 Prix Harcourt in 2012, has been retired to stand at Haras de la Hetraie in Normandy for 2014.

The five-year-old son of Dubai Destination came close to a second black-type win when beaten a nose by Glen's Diamond in the Yorkshire Cup before finishing third to Estimate in the Ascot Gold Cup. Bred by Kenilworth House Stud and Haras d'Ecouves, Top Trip carried the colours of Kenilworth owner Joerg Vasicek in all his 13 starts for Francois Doumen, amassing career earnings of £228,464.

The only winner from two runners for his dam Topka, he hails from the family top Italian runner Salselon, who during a stint in Newmarket with Luca Cumani finished second in the Lockinge and third in the Queen Anne Stakes. Further back it is the family of Dancing Rain, Dr Devious, Opinion Poll and Markofdistinction.

Speaking after announcing the deal - which was brokered by Richard Venn - Hetraie director Pascal Noue said: "He is a lovely horse with a lot of presence, and he posted good performances at every range‎. He will stand alongside Kapgarde and Great Pretender and we will support him with good home mares."

Great Pretender returns to the Hetraie roster after spending a season at Yorton Farm in Wales.

A fee for Top Trip has yet to be announced.