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Newmarket, England: Madjani, a three-time winner of the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1) on Dubai World Cup day, will be retired at the end of the season his trainer has revealed.
Gillian Duffield, who saddled the Purebred Arabian to successive wins in the $250,000 race at Nad Al Sheba, said that it was a not an easy decision to make.
But the high-profile trainer said she was convinced that it was the 'right thing to do'.
"He's nine years old and you can't keep racing him," she told Gulf News.
"He's a lovely horse, a true champion, but you've got to call it a day at some point of time."
Madjani failed in his attempt to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic for a record fourth time in March.
The horse was beaten by the Eric Lemartinell-trained Mizzna.
"He ran his heart out but lost to a better horse," said Duffield.
Swansong
"Obviously we had to take stock of the situation and the plan is to give him two more races, one at Lingfield in August and then the big Arabian race on the Arc de Triomphe day at Longchamp.
"That race will be his swansong."
Duffield admitted that Madjani's retirement will signal the end of a golden era for her Eve Lodge stables in Newmarket, which was also home to two other great champions in Kaolina and Al Kesbe.
"I'll be very, very said to see him (Madjani) go, but you've got to let go," she said.
Next champion
Duffield named Ejaabi as a horse who could develop into her next champion.
"He's a great big horse with a great big heart," she says.
"We're hoping he will and that he could be our next Kahayla Classic hope."
Eisa Saleh Al Gurg, UAE Ambassador to Great Britain, discussed plans and preparations for the Dubai International Arabian Race Day with Mirza Al Sayeg, Chairman of the organising committee and Director of the office of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
The Dubai International Arabian Race Day takes place at Newbury on Sunday.
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