Injury sees Little Big Bear retired Aidan O'Brien's Little Big Bear has been retired from racing after sustaining a fetlock fracture. The No Nay Never colt was last year's European Champion two-year-old on the back of a dominant seven-length success off the front in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. That was his fourth success in a row following on from a Group 3 at the same track and success in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. His winning spree began in maiden company at Naas. He resumed his career in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, but finished out the back after pulling hard. Frankie Dettori steered him home in a Group 2 at Haydock the same month before a runner-up berth was secured in the Commonwealth Cup under regular pilot Ryan Moore at Royal Ascot. His career ultimately concluded with an unplaced run in the Group One July Cup at Newmarket last month. O’Brien said via the website of owners Coolmore: “Little Big Bear is a super horse; that’s the long and the short of it. “Different class, different gear and matured very early for a big horse. “He’s big, scopey, strong, clear winded and very, very fast — a class sprinter.”
