COOLMORE this week announced the retirement of Westerner from covering duties, following 18 seasons at Castlehyde Stud, where he will enjoy the rest of his days.

As a four and five-year-old, the Wildenstein homebred landed back-to-back runnings of both the Group 1 Prix du Cadran and Prix Royal-Oak. The Elie Lellouche-trained bay completed an incredible six-timer in the Gold Cup when it was held in York and later claimed runners-up honours in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe won by Hurricane Run, with the likes of Bago, Shirocco, Motivator, Pride and Scorpion behind him.

Westerner retired with 11 wins to his name, and with another 11 placings, earned over £1million during his career. The son of Danehill and Prix Vermille heroine Walensee began his stallion career at €6,000, a fee he never exceeded, and rewarded breeders with a reliable source of blacktype performers.

Last season, Westerner sat joint second in the stallion standings by blacktype horses, matching Fame And Glory and Kayf Tara’s 18, the trio only outdone by Walk In The Park. His best performers to date include Ladbrokes World Hurdle victor Cole Harden, dual Grade 1 winner Ferny Hollow, Ryanair Gold Cup winner Gilgamboa, Arkle Trophy hero Western Warhorse and top chaser Empire Of Dirt.

There may be more Grade 1 winners in Westerner’s future, too. Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins gave £195,000 for Jonathan Fogarty’s impressive debut winner Hank West in November, while Henry de Bromhead’s recruit The Big Westerner maintained her perfect record when landing a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Limerick’s festive fixture.