Six-times Group One winner Snow Fairy has been retired, trainer Ed Dunlop said in a statement.

Time has been called on the brilliant mare’s career after she suffered a tendon injury during a workout on Tuesday morning.

Dunlop said: “It is with much sadness that a decision was made this morning to retire Snow Fairy.

“Unfortunately after a routine piece of fast work today she was found to have re-injured her near fore tendon, which has caused her problems in the last two years.”

Snow Fairy secured just under #4million in prize-money in a career which saw her win a number of top races across the globe.

She was last seen claiming the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September 2012.

Dunlop said Snow Fairy will now return to Ireland to embark upon broodmare duties.

He said: “I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Mrs (Cristina) Patino (owner) for all she has done, she has been the most wonderful owner of a truly amazing horse.

“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.

“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 Ones in Japan.

“Snow Fairy will return to Ireland, where I hope she will have a fantastic life as a broodmare.”