Gerry Harvey's G1 Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}–Mulan Princess {NZ}, by Kaapstad {NZ}) has been retired to stud after suffering a minor tendon strain, trainer Chris Waller revealed in a statement Tuesday. The 6-year-old mare was being prepared for an Australian autumn campaign, but will instead head to Westbury Stud in New Zealand and be covered by Swiss Ace.
Campaigned as a homebred by Harvey after being bought back for A$340,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Royal Descent won the 2013 Australian Oaks by 10 lengths. Although it took her more than two years to earn her next win, Royal Descent could nearly always be counted on to be there at the finish in Australia's most important races. She was placed eight times at the highest level, including a third in last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth S. behind Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) and Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), and she kicked off her spring campaign last August with a win over Group 1 winner Pornichet (Fr) (Vespone {Ire}) in the G2 Warwick S. She finished second in the G1 George Main S. and G1 Turnbull S. last term, and was last seen finishing 13th of 15 in the Oct. 31 G1 Myer Classic. She retires with five wins and 15 placings from 31 starts and earnings of A$2,709,780.
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