Fruits Of Love set for retirement

Connections of Fruits Of Love are virtually resigned to retiring the globe-trotting six-year-old, whose injury problems have prevented him from running this season.

The Hansel entire has been ruled out of the Jefferson Smurfit St Leger at the Curragh a week tomorrow and trainer Mark Johnston believes that they are now running out of time.

'We have dismissed thoughts of running him in the Irish St Leger and frankly we are getting to the point where we will probably call it a day,' said thm trainer.

'He`s still here and still in training, but I think we are less inclined to race him now and we feel that his future is at stud.

'I think there are stud plans in place but the owner is dealing with that.'

Fruits Of Love suffered a recurrence of a suspensory ligament injury sustained in his final outing last season, the Japan Cup.

Earlier during that campaign, he defeated his stablemate Yavana`s Pace to capture the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot for the second year running before unsuccessful attempts in the Grosser Preis von Baden in Germany, the Breeders Cup Turf in America and finally the Japan Cup.

However, Johnston could still be represented in the Irish St Leger with Yavana`s Pace but the nine-year-old first has a pressing engagement in the Group Three Prix Gladiateur over one mile and seven and a half furlongs at Longchamp on Sunday.

'He`s in great form - no problems. I have not seen the final field but I would think he would have a good chance,' said Johnston.

'We were aiming for the Irish Leger but we thought that we would go to France and, if all was well and the ground is soft at the Curragh, then we would go there as well.'