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Last year’s champion colt Almanzor has been retired from racing.

Sylvain Vidal, representative of part-owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, confirmed on Sunday that he wil be retired to stud.

“After consultations with Jean-Claude Rouget and the partners, we have come to the difficult decision to retire Almanzor,” said Vidal.

“We came into the year with great hopes and expectations. Unfortunately with the setback he has had, including the virus spread through the stable earlier this year, it is apparent that he would not be fit enough to challenge for the Arc this year.”

The winner of three of his four starts at two, Almanzor notched his first group win in the G3 Prix de Guiche last May.

That victory kicked off five-race win streak that encompassed the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, G1 Qipco Irish Champion Stakes and G1 Qipco Champion Stakes when he beat Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Found.

Last October Haras d’Etreham, which bred Almanzor and sold him for €100,000 as a yearling, bought back into the colt in partnership with SF Bloodstock.

Almanzor’s 4YO debut was significantly delayed after he was affected by an EHV-1 outbreak in Rouget’s stable.

He made the lone start of his campaign when beating just one home in last week’s G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron.

Decisions regarding his career at stud will be made at a later date.