Singspiel, who fractured a leg on the eve of the Breeders' Cup, has recovered well enough to return to Britain. The five-year-old will go to his owner Sheik Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket today where he will commence stallion duties in the New Year.

Singspiel injured his off-fore cannon-bone at Hollywood Park during final preparation for what was to have been his swansong in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

The horse has remained in the USA for treatment and yesterday Michael Stoute, who trained the son of In The Wings throughout his career, said: "He has progressed very, very well and everyone is extremely happy to let him travel back now. He will not be coming to me, he'll go straight to his new surroundings."

Singspiel, described by Frankie Dettori as "the best horse I have ever ridden", included victories in the Canadian International, Japan Cup and Dubai World Cup amongst his glittering haul.

Pilsudski, Stoute's other globetrotting superstar, leaves the trainer's care in the next few weeks as he prepares to go to Japan where he will stand as a stallion.

Stoute said: "Pilsudski leaves me on January 3rd when he will go into quarantine, he flies out to Japan on January 11th."

Pilsudski retired after winning last month's Japan Cup.