26-06-2025
Aidan O'Brien horse labelled 'unstoppable' retired after disappointing runs
Star sprinter Storm Boy has been retired to stud following two disappointing runs for Aidan O'Brien since moving to Ballydoyle from Australia.
The three-year-old earned €2,227,540 in prize money Down Under after Group 2 and 3 wins for joint-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
He moved to O'Brien earlier this year, but finished last of nine on his stable debut in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in May when sent off the 6/4 favourite.
Speaking about Storm Boy during a stable debut earlier this year, O'Brien said: "Before he came, I wasn't sure whether he'd want six, seven or a mile, but there's no doubt he's a sprinter, he's fast. He's big and powerful. You'd be very happy with everything he's doing."
He was previously described in Australia as "relentless, unstoppable and oh-so brilliant", but the son of Justify has been retired after disappointing again for O'Brien at Royal Ascot.
Sent off at 10/1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last Saturday, Storm Boy tenth of 14 runners under Ryan Moore and nine and a half lengths behind winner Lazzat.
"We are delighted to welcome Storm Boy back to Coolmore Australia for the 2025 season," said Coolmore Australia's principal Tom Magnier announcing the horse's retirement.
"His early performances on the track really had to be seen to be believed.
"He was jaw-dropping, much like his sire Justify, he broke his opponents' hearts!
"He won five of his first seven starts in a really dominating fashion and was unlucky not to include a Golden Slipper in that tally.
"We took Storm Boy to Europe with the plan of winning the QE II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"But unfortunately we haven't been able to give him the ideal prep.
"We felt we were getting back to where we needed to be with him, but he was found to be quite lame since returning to Ballydoyle on Saturday."
