French Champion juvenile and Classic miler Rio de la Plata retires to Darley in France

Godolphin flagbearer Rio de la Plata, who won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere in the blue silks as a two year-old, has been retired to stud.

The son of Rahy broke his maiden at Newmarket in memorable style before sweeping from last to first in the G2 Vintage Stakes. He couldn't quite peg back New Approach in the G1 National Stakes, but Rio de la Plata recorded his first G1 victory at Longchamp, winning the Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere by two-and-a-half lengths with a telling burst of speed. Among those he defeated at two were Myboycharlie and Dark Angel.

Second in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, beating Tamayuz and Paco Boy, and later a close-up third to Tamayuz and Raven's Pass in the G1 Prix Jean Prat, he went on to enjoy a terrific season at five, landing two high-profile Italian G1 contests – the one-mile G1 Premio Vittorio di Capua (a race won twice by his new stud companion Slickly) and the ten-furlong G1 Premio Roma. He was also twice runner-up in the G1 Prix du Moulin and has amassed over a million Euro in prize money during his 30-race career. Also among the 24 G1 winners he beat are Lope de Vega, Falco, Siyouni and Tin Horse. Frankie Dettori said of him, 'I love Rio de la Plata. He's my favourite horse!'

Darley’s Director of Stallions, Sam Bullard said, "Rio de la Plata was a very high-class two-year-old who proved to be notably durable and talented over a long career at the top. With those attributes, his powerful looks and his telling burst of acceleration, plus a pedigree which is an outcross to the major lines of the day, we are sure he will be popular with breeders.”

For further information please contact Sam Bullard on +44 (0) 1638 730 070.