Observatory, who famously lowered the colours of Giant's Causeway at Ascot last season, has been retired through injury, it was announced today.
The John Gosden-trained son of Distant View sustained a hairline crack to his pelvis during the Prince Of Wales's Stakes on his latest start, where he finished four and a half lengths behind Fantastic Light.
His victory over Giant's Causeway in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - ending a run of five successive Group One wins for Aidan O'Brien's star - was one of the highlights of last year and came after his team hatched a plan to challenge late and wide of the teak-tough Irish runner.
The four-year-old emerged victorious in six of his 10 career starts, with a second Group One prize coming in this season's Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.
He also numbered Group Three triumphs in the Jersey Stakes and Theo Fennell Lennox Stakes among his successes last term.
"He is expected to make a full recovery and plans for his stud career will be announced shortly," said Teddy Beckett, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.
PA