Shirocco sale pending as retirement looms

Baron Georg von Ullmann's SHIROCCO (Ger) (Monsun) is unlikely to defend his title in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), and

instead will be retired to Darley, according to Racing Post. The

publication revealed that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is in the

process of purchasing the five-year-old.

Connections had been considering a tilt at the November 4 Turf, but the bay

is now expected to head straight from Andre Fabre's stable to Darley's Dalham

Hall Stud near Newmarket, subject to veterinary examination.

Last year's Turf success was the highlight of Shirocco's career, which also

included a four-length win in the Deutsches Derby (Ger-G1) and a defeat of

Electrocutionist in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club (Ity-G1) as a

sophomore under the care of Andreas Schutz. Switched to Fabre at four, he

followed a fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) last October with his

1 3/4-length tally over Ace (Ire) (Danehill) at Belmont later that month.

This term, he captured the Jockey Club S. (Eng-G2) at Newmarket in May and

defeated Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]) in the Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) at Epsom the following

month. He posted his final victory when besting stable companion Hurricane Run

(Montjeu [Ire]) in the Prix Foy (Fr-G2). In total, Shirocco was the winner of seven of his

13 starts, earning his owner-breeder 1,780,210.