ARC heroine Alpinista has been forced into a shock retirement just days before a tilt at a £2.4million payday.
Sir Mark Prescott’s stable star has been retired to stud after ‘suffering a slight setback’ in training.
The trainer said: “Unfortunately Alpinista has suffered a slight setback and will not now be able to take her chance in the Japan Cup.
“It’s a great shame as the JRA have been fantastic in making arrangements for the trip and I can’t thank them enough.
“Alpinista was exercised this morning but has now been retired to stud where she will join the great broodmare band of Miss Rausing.
“As William Haggas said [about Baaeed] at the Cartier Awards last night, now the search begins for another one.”
More to follow.
