Connections of star miler Charyn have stated they are 'beyond proud' after he bowed out by finishing fifth in the Mile Championship in Japan on Sunday morning.
Roger Varian's striking grey has gone from strength-to-strength this season, winning Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before taking France by storm with a superb performance in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
He returned to Ascot to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in October but could not make his first start outside of Europe a winning one when fifth in the Grade 1 the Mile Championship at Kyoto, Japan.
With regular rider Silvestre De Sousa, who was banned for ten months in May 2023 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club after pleading guilty to facilitating fellow jockey Vagner Borges in placing a bet on a horse, not being granted a license by Japan Racing Association, Ryan Moore stepped in to steer Charyn on his swansong out.
However, after a slow beginning, the writing looked on the wall for much from the early stages with Charyn stuck behind a whole host of horses.
The 17-strong field was spread right across the track as runners turned for home, with Charyn forced to make his challenge almost widest of all under Moore. The pair continued to eat into the leader's advantage all the way to the line, but Soul Rush had got first run on his rivals and ultimately wasn't for catching as he went on to record his first success at Group 1 level. The winning margin was two-and-a-half lengths, with Charyn finishing less than a length behind the runner-up Elton Barrows in a bunch pack for the minor honours.
Charyn's owner Nurlan Bizakov posted on X: "Beyond proud of Charyn today and always, even though he did not end his brilliant career on a winning note.
"Luck was not on our side today, but he showed once again why he is a true champion. Excited for his next chapter as a stallion, passing on his talent and personality to the next generation.
"Today was not a loss – it was a legacy in the making."
The son of Dark Angel, who won seven of his nineteen starts, will now retire to stand his first season for Sumbe at Haras de Montfort et Preaux.
