Royal Ascot hero Merchant Navy retired to stud

Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner Merchant Navy has been retired to stud.

The ex-Australian-trained colt joined Aidan O’Brien with the aim of winning at Royal Ascot this summer, and did just that last weekend, having made a successful Irish debut at the Curragh in May.

Ridden by Ryan Moore in the six-furlong Group One sprint at the showpiece meeting, the son of Fastnet Rock won by a short head from City Light in a thrilling finish.

Coolmore tweeted: “Dual G1 winning #RoyalAscot hero Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) has been retired and arrived @coolmorestud this morning where he will enter quarantine before travelling to @CoolmoreAus where the world-class sprinter will cover an outstanding first book of mares #CoolmoreSires.”

In 10 career starts, Merchant Navy won seven times, earning nearly £1million in prize-money.

Retirement sees him ruled out of a July Cup bid.