State of Rest winning the recent G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes race
State Of Rest has officially closed his racing career as one of the most complete international performers of recent times. In an industry where reputations are protected, as much as made, the four-year-old was defined by measuring himself time and again in the crucible of elite racing across the biggest of stages in major racing domains.
A final tally of four G1s across four different countries places him in a pantheon alongside Godolphin’s globetrotting duo Singspiel and Fantastic Light, world champion mare Ouija Board (dam of champion Australia) and £11.7 million earner Mishriff.
State Of Rest also succeed in the 2022 Cox Plate, the championship race of Australia, as a northern hemisphere three-year-old while weighted as a four-year-old. His triumph bracketing him with former three-year-old winners and now notable sires Shamus Award (2013), So You Think (2009, 2010) and Savabeel (2004).
State Of Rest won the G1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp, France
In an 11-month period between August 2022 and June 2023, State Of Rest travelled, quarantined and raced across five different countries, competing against different performers under varying race conditions all at the elite level and succeed in the United States, Australia, France and Great Britain.
His career closes with earnings just shy of £3 million (USD3.5 million) accumulated in five wins from 13 career starts. In breaking the news, trainer Joseph O’Brien was lavish in his praise for his talismanic galloper.
“Everyone here at Carriganog Racing is so disappointed that State Of Rest’s racing career has come to a sudden end,” O’Brien said in a statement.
“[State of Rest] was without question a remarkably talented, durable and consistent performer. We asked a huge amount of him throughout his career and he delivered every time. He won Group/Grade 1 races on three different continents in the face of a wide variety of tracks, ground conditions and race tempos. It all came alike to him. He had the most incredible constitution and will to win.
“We’ll miss him greatly, but we look forward to training his progeny in the years ahead.”
If it is possible to single out one triumph above all others, it was State Of Rest’s imperious performance in this years £1,000,000 G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, the feature event of Royal Ascot. Having undoubtedly established himself following his three previous G1 successes, his spirited display to starve off all commers was arguably the highlight of the meet.
“While all at China Horse club are saddened by today’s news, there is so much to be thankful for,” said Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of China Horse Club.
“We are honoured to have shared in the career of one so exceptional as State Of Rest. He represents everything we love about horse racing. To that end, a great credit is owed to Joseph O’Brien, to his original owners Teme Valley Racing and to Newgate Farm for their spirit of competition that has allowed State Of Rest to achieve all that he has.”
State of Rest was undergoing a required MRI ahead of his intended defence of the 2023 Cox Plate when an issue was found by the scan. O’Brien believes this explains State of Rest’s poor performance in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois earlier this month.
State Of Rest has been retired with immediate effect. He will stand his first season at stud in 2023 in both Ireland at Rathbarry Stud and Australia at Newgate Farm.
If you would like to learn more about the China Horse Club exclusive membership offer, please email your inquiry to horses@chinahorseclub.com.