Dave Scott wrote: Cirrus Des Aigles is one of my fav horses to punt a top top beast.
Retired today dave
International hero
Cirrus Des Aigles retired
BY PETER SCARGILL 5:56PM 28 MAR 2016
CIRRUS DES AIGLES, who was the highest-earning European racehorse ever as well as being among the most popular globetrotters of recent times, has been retired, according to connections.
Trained by Corine Barande-Barbe, Cirrus Des Aigles earned over £6 million in prize-money and won Group 1s in three different countries including the Dubai Sheema Classic, Champion Stakes, Coronation Cup and Prix Ganay.
Such was his reputation for toughness and endurance, the ten-year-old earned the nickname 'Fighting Cirrus' with his memorable victories including a narrow defeat of Treve in the 2014 Prix Ganay at Longchamp, his favourite course.
In a posting on the horse's Facebook fan page, it was explained that Cirrus Des Aigles had been checked over by a vet following a recent workout in which Barande-Barbe felt the ten-year-old had not exerted himself fully.
Cirrus Des Aigles was found to have calcification on a sesamoid ligament that was liable to rupture when racing at full speed, and as a result the decision was taken to retire him while he was sound and healthy.
The post added that Cirrus Des Aigles would remain with Barande-Barbe for the time being before being given a "golden retirement when the time comes".
Late bloomer
Owned by Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy, Cirrus Des Aigles owed much of his longevity to the utter devotion of his trainer, who treated the horse like a member of her family, as well as being a gelding, although this barred from many of the top races in his native France, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
However, France's loss was the rest of the world's gain as Barande-Barbe took her pride and joy around the globe to places such as Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Britain and Ireland in search of prizes.
Much of Cirrus Des Aigles' fame and glory came late in his career with four of his Group 1s being gained at the age of eight and nine, including a terrific victory from Al Kazeem in last year's Prix d'Ispahan.
Cirrus des Aigles wins the Coronation Cup
Anglophile
Away from Longchamp, many of Cirrus Des Aigles' best performances came in Britain, including his maiden Group 1 success in the Champion Stakes on the inaugural Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.
"It means a lot," Barande-Barbe said at the time having been denied the chance to race in Group 1 races in France. "I have always thought he is a very good horse and I am very happy for the owner and all the team."
Cirrus Des Aigles went on to contest the Champion Stakes three more times and briefly gave the mighty Frankel a scare on that horse's final outing in the 2012 Champion Stakes.
While Frankel headed into retirement, Cirrus Des Aigles raced on for three more years and captured his second Group 1 in Britain when landing the 2014 Coronation Cup at Epsom, although he was dismounted shortly after the race as the result of an injury.
The performance and Barande-Barbe's reaction summed up the relationship between the pair and the trainer said: "I am so proud of him. He is a brave horse who loves fighting and winning."
Top earner
Cirrus Des Aigles claimed seven Group 1 wins and 22 victories in total, 13 of which came at Longchamp. In the process he pocketed £6,179,490 in win and place prize-money for connections.
He was also named European older horse of the year at the 2011 Cartier Awards.
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