Epsom Derby hero Wings Of Eagles retired

Aidan O’Brien’s colt found lame after third place finish in Irish Derby on Saturday

Wings Of Eagles (centre) has been retired after being found lame following his third-place finish in Saturday’s Irish Derby at the Curragh. Photograph: PA
Wings Of Eagles (centre) has been retired after being found lame following his third-place finish in Saturday’s Irish Derby at the Curragh. Photograph: PA

Epsom Derby hero Wings Of Eagles has been retired after suffering a career-ending injury in the Irish Derby on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt was a shock 40-1 winner of the premier Classic on the Surrey Downs at the start of June and aimed to become the Ballydoyle handler’s fifth dual-Derby winner at the Curragh.

He finished a close-up third behind stablemate Capri and John Gosden’s Cracksman, but it proved to be his final racecourse appearance.

A statement issued by Coolmore read: “Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles was found to be lame this morning after running in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh yesterday.

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“He was examined today in his box in Ballydoyle by the attending veterinary surgeon who diagnosed a fracture of his left front sesamoid.

“Sadly this is a career ending injury.”