Four-Time Group 1 Winner Fangirl Retired

Four-time group 1 winner Fangirl (AUS) has been retired following her third-place finish in the Chelmsford Stakes (G2) Sept. 5 at Randwick Racecourse. The 8-year-old bows out having won 12 of her 42 starts, with a further 14 placings, and prize money exceeding AU$11 million. A homebred for Ingham Racing, Fangirl contested 27 group 1 races during a career highlighted by victories in the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1) in 2022, the Winx Stakes (G1) and King Charles III Stakes (G1) in 2023, and last year's Queen of the Turf (G1). James McDonald partnered the Chris Waller-trained mare on 18 occasions for eight victories. "It's a little bit sad, but she did us so proud," Ingham's Debbie Kepitis told Racing.com. "We could keep her going, but she's just not at her peak. She deserves to go to the paddock, and if we're lucky enough for her to have a baby, it would be lovely. We'll see what happens." Fangirl is out of listed winner Little Surfer Girl, a daughter of three-time group 1 winner Special Harmony by Spinning World, winner of the 1997 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T). Kepitis indicated Darley's nine-time group 1 winner Anamoe (AUS) is the likely choice for Fangirl's first mating.