Smarty Jones has run last race

Flat racing may not have seen the last of George Duffield and Keith Dalgleish, but American racing is bidding farewell to one of its biggest stars in years after Smarty Jones was retired last night.

Smarty Jones, who has captured the imagination of millions of American punters with his rags-to-riches march to glory this year, has been retired to stud because connections feel that persistent bruising in his ankles has finally got the better of him.

The bright chestnut, partnered by Stewart Elliott, ran away with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in the spring and, having failed by just a length to complete the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes in June, was being prepared for a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park in October.

However, the risk of further injury and the lure of a $39m syndication to stud has proved too strong for owner Pat Chapman.

She said: "It's a very difficult decision, but if anything else would have happened it would have broken out hearts."

Meanwhile, Duffield has refuted any suggestion that almost 40 years in the saddle have come to an end because of a persistent shoulder problem, but a scan with a York specialist on Friday will be crucial in assessing whether he will recover sufficiently to return to the job he loves.