London Icon© Photo Healy Racing
London Icon has left Adrian Keatley to continue his career in Hong Kong.
Keatley viewed his charge as a potential candidate for the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the start of the campaign.
However, following a pleasing reappearance when runner-up at Naas in March, his Classic dreams ended after he disappointed in the Tetrarch Stakes at the same track last month.
London Icon made the most of having his sights lowered in a minor conditions race at Navan on his most recent outing and Keatley was eyeing a tilt at either the St James’s Palace or the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
In a statement posted on his Twtter account, Keatley said: “Today is a sad day as we had to say goodbye to one of our stable stars, London Icon.
“Unfortunately for us and everyone else we ran out of time to get him to show his full potential.
“The deal with his owner (Simon Kwok) last autumn was for him to stay with us until Ascot, so it was decided that he would leave without a run at the Royal meeting.
“He was a pleasure to have at our yard and hopefully he’ll go on to show his abilities in Hong Kong.
“Goodbye big fella, hopefully we’ll be cheering you on in Sha Tin or Happy Valley soon.
“Thank you for the memories.”
