‘Time is running out’ – Arc de Triomphe dream over as awesome grey Estrange is retired with immediate effect

SportHorse Racing Estrange ridden by Daniel Tudhope after winning the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes at Curragh racecourse. Picture date: Saturday June 27, 2026. Credit: Alamy STUNNING grey Estrange has seen her Arc de Triomphe dream ended – after being retired with immediate effect. A statement from owners Cheveley Park Stud confirmed the David O’Meara-trained five-year-old mare will never race again. Estrange’s Arc de Triomphe dream has been ended after being retired with immediate effect Credit: Alamy The Grade 1 Pretty Polly winner had been as short as 12-1 for October’s Longchamp contest. But the plug has been pulled on all future runs owing to some bruising she picked up when running in Ireland a couple of months ago. The statement read: “Whilst Estrange has not had ideal conditions with the very dry summer, it has been decided to retire her to the paddocks. “Estrange suffered some bone bruising during her last race, which meant she has had to have an easy time since and, although an autumn campaign was being envisaged, time is running out to have her fully fit. “Therefore Mrs Thompson feels, as she has won her Group 1, it is time for her to retire to the paddocks. “Estrange has given Patricia Thompson, her son Richard, their family and all of us at Cheveley Park Stud some wonderful moments on the racecourse and we cannot thank David O’Meara and his staff enough for training her so wonderfully.” Estrange leaves the sport having won six of her nine career runs and finishing outside the top two just once. She was undefeated this season, having won the Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies Stakes at Carlisle before her breakthrough top-level win at the Curragh. Most read in Horse Racing Estrange was pitted against some of the best mares of her generation and more than held her own. She was runner-up to Minnie Hauk in the 2025 Yorkshire Oaks and filled the same spot behind this year’s King George winner Kalpana in last October’s Champion Fillies and Mares at Ascot. Estrange was all set to run in last year’s Arc but left her team ‘devastated’ after having to be pulled out at the last minute. She scoped dirty following routine exercise and had to be scratched from one of the world’s biggest races. Estrange’s retirement comes just a day after Willie Mullins confirmed dual Gold Cup king Galopin Des Champs had also bowed out. FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now