Dual Gr. 1 and Classic winner Simple Verse retired

Simple Verse, the winner of two Gr. 1 races in 2015, including the St Leger, as well as two other Group races, has been retired.

Simple Verse has been one of Qatar Racing's flagship horses in recent years. She became the first filly to win the St Leger for 23 years, though was famously demoted after a stewards' enquiry only to be reinstated on appeal.

She gave Qatar Racing its first British classic win, and confirmed herself a top-class filly when completing a four-timer in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes. She was given the Cartier Champion Stayer award that year, narrowly beating the Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris.

Simple Verse returned to Doncaster as a four-year-old to win the Gr. 2 Park Hill Stakes, before finishing third in the Gr. 2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. She showed herself to be just as good on her reappearance at five when a neck second in the Gr. 2 Yorkshire Cup in May.

Qatar Racing's racing manager David Redvers said:

‚"Simple Verse gave us two of our greatest days on a racecourse when becoming our first British Classic winner in the 2015 St Leger and following up in the QIPCO-sponsored Fillies and Mares Stakes. She was a testament to Ralph Beckett's enduring skills as a masterful trainer of Classic fillies and will make a tremendous addition to the broodmare ranks.‚"

Simple Verse won six of her 15 starts and was trained by Ralph Beckett, who paid his own tribute:

"She was a terrific servant to all her connections. The highlight of her career was undoubtedly the St Leger, but to drop back to a mile and a half and win the Fillies and Mares Stakes five weeks later showed how versatile, as well as tough and talented, she really was. We will miss her, but look forward to training her progeny."

By Duke of Marmalade out of the Sadler's Wells mare Guantanamera, Simple Verse was bred by Barronstown Stud and purchased by David Redvers for €240,000 as a yearling. Her retirement comes the day after her half-brother Orange Suit made a winning debut at Newbury.