French Derby winner retired

French Derby winner Le Havre has not recovered from a tendon injury sustained in the Chantilly classic and has been retired by owner Gerard Augustin-Normand.

Le Havre (Ire) won at Clairefontaine and Saint-Cloud last year before re-emerging this term to add the Prix Djebel (LR) at Maisons-Laffitte.  He was then runner-up to Silver Frost in the French 2000 Guineas (G1) before reaching a career pinnacle in the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) on June 7.

“As can happen after an extreme effort, Le Havre come out of the Jockey Club with serious tendon problems,” trainer Jean-Claude Rouget revealed.  “The owner will decide where the horse will stand at stud, but it’s a little too early to mention any names.”

“He was one of the best I’ve trained and has a lovely temperament,” Rouget added.  “I didn’t have a moment’s worry in the Derby.”
Le Havre (3c Noverre–Marie Rheinberg by Surako) was a 100,000 euros buy at the 2007 Arqana yearling sales at Deauville.  He is by former Darley shuttler Noverre who is now based in India.