Sun Classique retired

The six-year-old SUN CLASSIQUE (Fuji Kiseki), who beat the boys in the Dubai

Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) in March of 2008, has been retired and is tentatively

booked to Redoute's Choice, according to racingandsports.com.au.

The Mike de Kock-trained mare was being prepared for a tilt in the King

George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1) almost exactly a year ago when she

suffered a tendon injury. Connections hoped to bring her back for a 2009

campaign, but recently had a change of heart.

"Mike felt it would be a bit risky to carry on with her," co-owner Lionel

Cohen said. "I am taking her to Australia, and she will visit Redoute's Choice,

if I can get her there in time. There are a few problems with vaccinations that

we have to sort out, and Sun Classique may not get there by October. In which

case I might have to look somewhere else for a stallion for her."

Sun Classique began her career in South Africa, where she won three Group 1

events, including a pair facing males, and was named the nation's champion

three-year-old filly in 2007. The chestnut came to international prominence in

the spring of 2008, when she won a pair of listed stakes at Nad al Sheba before

rolling home to a 2 3/4-length victory in the Sheema Classic in stakes-record

time.

Sun Classique was produced by a daughter of South Australian Oaks (Aus-G1)

heroine Gamine (Keen), who is also the dam of Group 2 winner Royal Voyage

(Danehill). She retires with a record of nine wins in 15 starts and earnings of

$3,344,066.