Group 1 Winner Pornichet Retired

Pornichet (Fr) (Vespone {Ire}–Proza {Fr}, by Septieme Ciel), the winner of last year's G1 Doomben Cup for trainer Gai Waterhouse, has been retired from racing at age five after suffering a tendon injury. Stud plans have yet to be decided.

Pornichet started his racing career in his native France for owner Jean-Michel Lebrun and trainer Nicolas Clement, where his best performance was a third behind Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein) in the 2014 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Purchased privately by Waterhouse after failing to meet his reserve at €425,000 at the inaugural Goffs London sale a month later, Pornichet recorded his first Australian win later that year in the G3 Sandown S. for a partnership including Mt Hallowell Stud, Segenhoe Thoroughbreds, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Henderson Racing and B Pang. He added the G3 Neville Sellwood S. last March before besting fellow French import Weary (Fr) (Astronomer Royal) in the Doomben Cup. That proved to be Pornichet's last win, although he garnered placings last season behind Group 1 winners Royal Descent (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}). The bay retires with four wins from 14 starts and earnings of A$1,168,722.

Waterhouse said, “[Husband] Rob [Waterhouse] identified Pornichet as the perfect horse for Australia after some tremendously promising runs in France, and so it proved. He is an absolutely gorgeous horse who mixed it with the best around during his time in Australia and the electric turn of speed he showed when winning his Group 1 was simply breathtaking.”