Cristina Patino's Snow Fairy, a 6-year-old daughter of Intikhab who won six group I races in four different countries, has been retired.
The recurrence of an injury to her near fore tendon, which had troubled her in the past two years, was listed by trainer Ed Dunlop as the reason to end her sensational career.
"It is with much sadness that a decision was made this morning to retire Snow Fairy," a statement from Dunlop said. "Unfortunately after a routine piece of fast work today she was found to have re-injured her near fore tendon.
"I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Mrs. Patino for all she has done; she has been the most wonderful owner of a truly amazing horse...
"I would also like to thank all of my staff who have looked after her, ridden her and travelled her around the world. She remains the only international horse to have won two Group one races in Japan."
Snow Fairy will become a broodmare in Ireland and is set be covered by another Patino homebred, Elusive Pimpernel.
The 2010 Investec Oaks (Eng-I) was the first major success for Snow Fairy, who also won the Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-I), the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (Jpn-I), and the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (Hk-I). In 2011 she missed part of the season due to injury, but was still able to win the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup for a second year in a row.
She won the Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-I) in 2012, but was disqualified shortly thereafter when she failed a drug test due to traces of an anti-inflammatory medication found in her sample. Last September, however, she came back with a victory over Nathaniel and St Nicholas Abbey in the Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I).
"Most owners would have retired her a lot sooner than she did and if this had been the case she would not have won the Irish Champion Stakes last year, which was without doubt her greatest performance," Dunlop said.
Snow Fairy's career concludes with an 8-4-4 record from 21 starts with earnings of $6,340,956. Bred in Ireland out of the Charnwood Forest mare Woodland Dream, she was bought back for just €1,800 after failing to raise interest at auction.
