Danedream
(Healy Racing Photos)

Peter Schiergen's brilliant mare was denied an attempt to defend her crown in Paris by an outbreak of equine infectious anaemia at the Cologne Stables where she was based.

It had been thought that the four year old daughter of Lomitas could stay in training to run at the Dubai Carnival in March but news of her retirement was broken on www.galopponline.de.

Schiergen told the website: "Teruya Yoshida's decision is sad for us, but I can certainly appreciate it from the breeder's point of view. We are extremely grateful for all the wonderful experiences that Danedream has given us.

"She has been a great advertisement for German racing and we would like thank everybody connected with the filly. She will never be forgotten."

Danedream won eight of her 17 career starts which included a thrilling defeat of Nathaniel in last season's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as well as her Arc victory and two wins in the Grosser Preis Von Baden.