Wonderful Tonight: David Menuisier retires Arc hopeful to become broodmare after fracturing fetlock joint
Wonderful Tonight won the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot last year and had been aimed at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe this season by trainer David Menuisier; four-year-old had been due to run in Prix Foy on Sunday
Friday 10 September 2021 14:59, UK
Dual Group One-winning filly Wonderful Tonight has been retired by trainer David Menuisier after suffering a fracture on Friday morning.
Menuisier intended to run his stable star in the Prix Foy at ParisLongchamp on Sunday - should the ground have been suitable.
However, following confirmation of the injury by vets, the decision has been taken to retire the four-year-old.
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"She did her final piece of work this morning and was due to go tomorrow morning first thing to France," said Menuisier.
"She cooled down fine and it wasn't until two-and-a-half hours later that she couldn't put her foot on the ground. The vets took a X-ray and she has a little condylar fracture in her fetlock, so it is game over.
"She'll be a lovely broodmare and that's all we can think of really... words fail me, they really do."
"It just shows how fragile they are. She was in great form and we were just waiting to see if they got any rain at Longchamp before we made the final decision - fate decided for us really.
"I'm just thankful we had her for the time we did. I'm taking her to the hospital this afternoon and I'm just relieved we can save her.
"She'll be a lovely broodmare and that's all we can think of really - that and the good times that she gave us.
"Words fail me, they really do."
Winner of six of her eleven career starts, Wonderful Tonight had been on course for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after picking up two Group Two successes this season, the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Lillie Langtry at Glorious Goodwood.
After disappointing in fourth on unsuitably fast ground at York last month, the daughter of Le Havre was supposed to be heading back to France this weekend as a final preparation for the Arc at ParisLongchamp in October.
Wonderful Tonight won three of her six starts in 2020, including two Group One prizes - the Qatar Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp and the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot.
