Melbourne Cup Champion Fiorente Retired From Racing

2013 Melbourne Cup Champion and winner of more than $6 million in prize money, Fiorente has been retired from racing with immediate effect after sustaining a severe off-foreleg tendon injury believed to have occurred during the running of the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

2013 Melbourne Cup champion Fiorente has been retired from racing after sustain a severe tendon injury

2013 Melbourne Cup champion Fiorente has been retired from racing after sustain a severe tendon injury. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

Transported to the Randwick Equine Centre after a restless Saturday evening following his run for third in The BMW, scans revealed an injury deemed too serious for effective rehabilitation and forced an immediate end to Fiorente’s glittering race career.

Steadily building to the task over an impressive 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, Fiorente won the Group 2 Dato’Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) second-up on September 14th and finished third behind Shamus Award and Happy Trails in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).

Jumping as pre-post favourite in the 2013 Melbourne Cup following the scratching of early market leader Puissance De Lune, the talented Monsun entire locked in a fierce sprint battle with journeyman Red Cadeaux in the final straight of the race that stops a nation, poking ahead within the final 100 metres to deliver trainer Gai Waterhouse a maiden victory in the country’s headlining race.

Returning to the track in typically scintillating form in his current preparation, Fiorente appeared well and truly out of contention in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) first-up before again producing his trademark turn of foot to comfortably overcome Mourayan and Star Rolling and finish a nose in the clear.

Settling in prime position on the heels of 2012 Melbourne Cup victory Green Moon rounding onto the final bend of the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 8th, Fiorente comfortably took up the pace to finish a half-length in front and once again deliver Waterhouse (and jockey Damien Oliver) a maiden title in the major race.

Having been included in nominations for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) as part of The Championships on April 19th, connections will decide on Fiorente’s path as a stud over the coming weeks.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.