The Richard Hannon-trained Illuminate (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}–Queen of Stars, by Green Desert), one of the stars of the first crop of Zoffany (Ire), has been retired after failing to recapture her solid juvenile form. Now three, Illuminate won her first three starts for her owner Prince Faisal Salman, including the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot and G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. before going on to finish runner-up to Lumiere (GB) (Shamardal) in the G1 Connolly's Red Mill Chevely Park S. Sixth on her sole start outside England when sent to Keeneland for the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, Illuminate has failed to sparkle in three starts this season, including the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas. She retires with a mark of 8-3-1-0, and earnings of $223,256.
Quoted on his website www.richardhannonracing.co.uk, the trainer said, “I would have loved to see her bag a Group 1, but I couldn't be happier with her career and she is the type of filly to go on and make a super broodmare. It was a sad day to see her go as she was great to deal with in the yard, but I wish her all the best in her new career and thank her for the good times.”
Illuminate has retired to her owner's Denford Stud in Berkshire.
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