Dual Group One winning superstar Poetic Flare has been retired to stud in Japan explains his trainer Jim Bolger, with the classy miler set to run in the QEII Stakes at Ascot but will never be seen on a racecourse again.
Poetic Flare has been the yards flag bearer this season racing five times and going on to win three times, including two big Group One events over a mile.
Having been a smart juvenile, he stepped up this term for his debut at Leopardstown over seven furlongs in the Listed 2000 Guineas Trial and ran out a very smart winner.
He took that form straight to Newmarket for the first Classic of the season and having gone under the radar in the market he swooped home late to take the event.
The three year old was quickly put back on track for the French 2000 Guineas and although running well just faded late on to finish sixth.
He bounced back to form in a big way just a week later when a narrow second to stablemate Mac Swiney in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Will Lucky Vega, Wembley, Battleground or Van Gogh be able to reverse form with QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare in Saturday's @Tattersalls1766 Irish 2,000 Guineas?
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 20, 2021
Let us know who you think will win the @curraghrace showpiece in the comments below 👇 pic.twitter.com/TSMwoe4SBL
Given much longer off the track he was last seen fresh as a daisy in the Group One St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and he ran out an emphatic winner.
Poetic Flare was then sent to Glorious Goodwood giving weight away to the fillies in the Sussex Stakes and in a good battle he could only finish second to Alcohol Free.
Next time out the colt again had to settle for a good second behind the superstar Palace Pier and was then last seen on his first try at 1m2f in the Irish Champions Stakes when finishing a narrow third behind the excellent St Mark's Basilica and Tarnawa.
With another run expected before the end of the season, he will now head over to Japan where he will stand at stud having been retired.
Bolger told TDN: “I’m sure many racegoers will be disappointed not to see him at Ascot, and I am disappointed myself that he is not going there, but it was not possible.
“He will be standing at Shadai and will be leaving soon for Japan.
“This is a first for me, but it is a great opportunity for the horse and I will be supporting him with mares myself, even though it won’t be that straightforward.”