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Kyprios has been retired from racing following an aggravation of an old ringbone lesion sustained during his recent victory in the Saval Beg Stakes Gr.3 at Leopardstown. The decision brings the curtain down to one of the most remarkable staying careers in recent memory.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien described his stable star as "the most incredible horse with a concrete mind" after confirming the retirement of the dual Gr.1 Ascot Gold Cup winner. The son of Galileo concluded his racing days with 17 victories from 21 starts and an official rating of 122, matching the legendary Yeats.
"Kyprios was just the most incredible horse. Obviously, we had to be ultra-respectful of him. Always. When he was a little bit sore after his run at Leopardstown, we were always not going to take any risks with him. Everybody felt the same way," O'Brien explained.
The Ballydoyle maestro's charge had been unbeaten since October 2023, recording nine consecutive victories before injury forced his retirement. His winning streak included memorable triumphs in Group One company across Europe.
O'Brien pinpointed the qualities that made Kyprios such a formidable staying force. "It was his attitude combined with his ability to stay. Then, it was the class he had to go along with those things. He was an incredibly sound horse, and his mind was absolute concrete, too."
According to Racing Post Ratings, Kyprios produced his finest performance in the Gr.1 Prix du Cadran during 2022, winning by an extraordinary 20 lengths despite drifting across the track throughout the contest.
"The day he won the Cadran was something else," O'Brien recalled. "Then the two Gold Cups were incredible. They were both great days, too."
Inevitable comparisons have emerged between Kyprios and Yeats, the record-breaking stayer who captured four Gold Cup victories. O'Brien believes his latest staying star deserves similar recognition.
"Ah, yeah, he was a great horse," the trainer responded when asked about potential parallels with Yeats. "The class he had and his stamina. He had to be incredibly sound to come back from what he did. I don't think any other horse would have come back from where he came back from."
Kyprios began his journey with victory in a Galway maiden during September 2020, establishing himself as a staying phenomenon through his natural temperament and exceptional ability. His retirement marks the end of an era for connections and racing enthusiasts worldwide.