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Champion South African mare Dancewiththedevil has been retired after just one start in the UK.

Owner/breeder St John Gray, who trained the daughter of Modus Vivendi to nine wins in South Africa before sending her to Newmarket trainer Roger Varian, confirmed the mare’s retirement.

“The rains we’ve been waiting for have sadly come too late for her,” he told Gold Circle.

A give time G1 winner and the 2011 champion older female, Dancewithdevil proved herself the finest female miler in SA with her two H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut victories and proving herself beyond that trip by storming home to claim the 2011 Sansui Summer Cup.

Dancewiththedevil managed just one start for Varian, finishing unplaced in the G3 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in her first outing in 14 months.

Gray is considering several options for his champion.

“I’ve had enquiries from some interested parties. If I don’t sell her, I would love to send her to a high profile stallion such as Galileo,” he said.