3 minute read

Dermot Weld’s latest Epsom Oaks heroine Ezeliya has been retired after suffering a training setback.

The beautifully-bred daughter of Dubawi, who is out of the multiple Group-race winning mare Eziyra, only graced the turf on four separate occasions, but proved exactly what she was capable of when scorching away to land the Epsom Oaks by three-lengths under Chris Hayes on what would turn out to be her final racecourse appearance.

Injury has forced her owner His Highness Aga Khan to retire Ezeliya and a career in breeding beckons.

"It is obviously disappointing, and we hoped she would have a lot of racing in front of her, but what she has achieved in a short amount of time has been excellent," said Pat Downes, manager of the Aga Khan's Irish studs.

He added: "We were looking forward to seeing what she could have achieved throughout the year, taking on the older horses and the colts later in the season, but it wasn't to be and we can look forward to her as a broodmare and what she could achieve in the future.

"She goes out on a high and she has had a setback that has resulted in the retirement, but the important thing is that she is perfectly well, and we can look forward to the future with her.

"What it is all about for us is retiring fillies like Ezeliya into the broodmare band and that is a real positive for us."