Fleeting Spirit retired from racing
Fleeting Spirit, the winner of the 2009 July Cup, has been retired from racing.
The announcement has been made by the mare’s trainer, Jeremy Noseda, who had been preparing her for a possible run in the Prix de l’Abbaye but connections have decided that it is in her best interest that she is retired.
The daughter of Invincible Spirit had not won since her July Cup victory but had run some good races and her last start was in this year’s renewal of the July Cup where she finished two-and-a-quarter lengths fifth to Starspangledbanner.
In three seasons racing Fleeting Spirit won five of her 16 starts – her victories also including the Molecomb, Flying Childers and Temple Stakes - for career earnings just short of £700,000.
Speaking on his website, Noseda said: “It is with some sadness that we are announcing the retirement of Fleeting Spirit. She has been such a great servant to her owners and all of us at Shalfleet Stables.
“Fleeting Spirit proved herself to be a high-class sprinter at two, three, four and five, performing at the very top level. Her effort to win last year’s July Cup was huge and she really has been a model of consistency. She won the 2009 Cartier Champion Sprinter award which says it all.
"We could have tried to persist with her but that really wouldn't have been fair on the filly. The wear and tear from so many big runs has taken its toll and she owes us absolutely nothing, so it seems the right thing to do by her to retire her.
"Of course, we now wish her well in her secondary career as a broodmare and, down the line, look forward to seeing her progeny at the racecourse. If they show just half of the ability that she possessed, then they too will enjoy success."
Fleeting Spirit made a winning debut over five furlongs at Nottingham and then went on to win the the Group Three Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood and the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster before finishing second to subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Natagora in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.
At three, Fleeting Spirit established herself as one of the leading sprinters in Europe when she broke the course record at Haydock Park when she won the Group Two Temple Stakes before finishing third in the Group One Kings Stand at Royal Ascot, fifth in the Abbaye and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
The following season the mare was crowned Cartier Champion Sprinter having won the July Cup – beating a field that included Scenic Blast, Equiano, Takeover Target, Paco Boy - and finished second in the King’s Stand, Haydock Sprint Cup and Abbaye.
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