Infection ends career of multiple Group 1 winner

Freakish Group 1 superstar Hitotsu has run his last race and will be retired to stud after sustaining a nasty infection.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper won the Victoria Derby in the 2021 spring before claiming the Australian Derby in Sydney in the 2022 autumn as well as a memorable Australian Guineas triumph.

A suspensory ligament injury ruled him out of the last spring carnival and now a series of setbacks, most recently a serious leg infection, will cause his shock retirement.

"Hitotsu got a cut to his leg and then it got infected," part-owner Ozzie Kheir said.

"They have flushed it (the infection) out about a week ago and he is stable.

"We resisted the temptation of retiring him after his remarkable three-year-old season to stud as Ciaron and Dave were adamant that he had so much more upside and we hadn't seen the best of him.

"Unfortunately plans in racing don't often go to script.

"Hitotsu has taken us on an amazing journey in such a short period of time and showed that special horses can be trained in a very unconventional way and that's all credit to the stable that weren't afraid to try something different.

"We will now start the process of finding him the best place to continue his next chapter and follow his progeny for many years to come."

Co-trainer Maher said he had a heavy heart when speaking about the retirement news.

"While it's incredibly disappointing, he provided us with some of the most memorable moments we've enjoyed on a racetrack in his short career," Maher said.

"He is one of the most talented horses I've ever trained and I hope one day I can train his progeny."

Hitotsu has been retired ????

We certainly won't forget his 2022 autumn campaign. ????

Australian Guineas (1600m) ✅
Australian Derby (2400m) ✅@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/gfUuoL6DoH

— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) January 31, 2023

Meanwhile, another Kheir-owned and Maher and Eustace-trained rising star has sustained a tendon injury and is out of the autumn carnival.

The future of Yonce, who has won six of her seven starts, will be determined after talks between the trainers and connections. It is possible she could be retired to be a broodmare.

"Yonce will not take part in the autumn as she sustained a tendon injury late last week," Kheir said.

"It is extremely disappointing for all involved as she was reportedly going better than her last preparation. After her seven-start first preparation, she hasn't had things go her way.

"In the spring she had a freak accident in the float and now this.

"We are yet to decide if we retire her as a broodmare or continue racing at this stage.

"The injury is only minor but like all tendons its difficult to return back to your best after 1.5 years off racing."

Hitotsu going home to start stud career

Former star three-year-old Hitotsu will return to his birthplace to stand his first season at stud.

Hitotsu won the Victoria Derby in 2021 before returning to win the Australian Guineas and Australian Derby in the autumn, emulating the deeds of 1990s star Mahogany.

Unfortunately, injury ended Hitotsu's brilliant career after only eight starts, which produced three Group 1 wins and more than $3m in prizemoney for the son of Japanese star Maurice.

Arrowfield Stud boss John Messara announced the former Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained stallion would stand at the Hunter Valley property this spring.

"Each of Hitotsu's three Group 1 victories is an exceptional performance, but together they put him in the very sparsely populated category of history-making champion," Messara said.

"We're proud to stand him as an Arrowfield-bred star returning home."

Hitotsu will join his sire Maurice, champion sire Snitzel, Dundeel and The Autumn Sun on the Arrowfield roster.

Arrowfield has set Hitotsu's first season service fee at $22,000.