Fiorente Retired

Fiorente (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}–Desert Bloom {Ire}, by Pilsudski {Ire}), who provided trainer Gai Waterhouse with a storybook first victory in last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup, has been retired from racing after suffering a tendon injury. Bred by Ballymacoll Stud and trained by Sir Michael Stoute during the European portion of his career for Lord Weinstock’s operation, Fiorente was runner-up to Nathaniel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 King Edward VI S. at Royal Ascot in 2011 and posted his first victory at the pattern level the following season, defeating Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) in the G2 Princess of Wales’s S. at Newmarket. Unplaced behind Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in the 2012 G2 Prix Foy, Fiorente, purchased for a reported A$1.3 million made his next start in that year’s Melbourne Cup and immediately made his presence felt, outrunning odds of 30-1 to finish runner-up to Green Moon (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). During a build up to last year’s Cup, Fiorente annexed the G2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam S. at Moonee Valley and was a good third behind Shamus Award (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) in that track’s G1 Cox Plate ahead of his 3/4-length conquest over the globe-trotting Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) in the “Race that Stops a Nation” Nov. 5. “It’s a dream come true,” Waterhouse said following the win. “I’m so thrilled for everyone.” The 6-year-old entire posted a first-up success in the G2 Peter Young S. at Caulfield Feb. 22 and recorded an ultimate score at the highest level with a half-length defeat of Green Moon in a battle of Melbourne Cup winners in the G1 Australian Cup Mar. 8. He was being pointed for either the G1 Sydney Cup or G1 Queen Elizabeth S. during upcoming The Championships at Royal Randwick when the injury bug bit. Fiorente, who descends from the female family of Ballymacoll luminaries Islington (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and her full brother Greek Dance (Ire), closes his career with six wins and seven minor placings from 20 starts and earnings of $6,008,400. Stud plans have not yet been finalized.