Champion South African mare Mother Russia has been retired by owner Mary Slack.

Mother Russia (5m Windrush – Russian Muse by Russian Fox) won 13 of her 27 starts including a memorable victory in the G1 Queen’s Plate on January 8 when she denied Pocket Power a record fifth win in the Kenilworth feature.

“Mother Russia lost a bit of her sparkle when she came back from Cape Town,” trainer Mike de Kock commented.  “After discussing her future with Mary, we felt there was no point in her racing on at the Durban July carnival.”

Initially trained by Joey Ramsden, Mother Russia moved to De Kock after Slack purchased her for a reported R4 million.  “She brought Mary and the stable lots of joy and was a wonderful mare to train.  She retires sound and happy and we look forward to seeing her progeny on the track.”

Slack stands Tiger Ridge, Right Approach and Kildonan at Wilgerbosdrift Stud but refused to commit to a stallion as yet.  She also bought Mother Russia’s yearling sister for R1.40 million at the Cape Premier Sale in January.