Injury ends Epsom Derby hero Wings of Eagles' career

Shock Epsom Derby winner Wings of Eagles is to be retired after having suffered a bone fracture in his left leg in finishing a valiant third in the Irish Derby.

Wings of Eagles produced a blistering burst of acceleration to deny his fellow Aidan O'Brien-trained stablemate Cliffs of Moher at Epsom in June and take British flat racing's blue riband event at odds of 40/1.

However, he was unable to produce a similar performance on Saturday at The Curragh, although O'Brien still won the race for the 12th time with his Epsom Derby sixth Capri.

"What a brave effort it was in the circumstances as the injury must have happened at some point in the race (the Irish Derby)," said O'Brien.

"He was a good colt. He showed us that when winning at Epsom.

"Not being able to race him again is a big loss," added the 47-year-old Irishman.

A statement issued by the Coolmore racing operation -- for whom O'Brien trains -- said he "was found to be lame".

It added a vet had "diagnosed a fracture of his left front sesamoid" and that "sadly this is a career-ending injury".

Wings of Eagles, who provided a fairytale story for jockey Padraig Beggy at Epsom after being given a chance by O'Brien to relaunch his career following a drugs ban in Australia, will undergo an operation prior to being sent to stud.

source: AFP