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Aidan O'Brien's American import Verrazano has been retired to stand at Ashford Stud in his homeland after suffering injury.

The injury reportedly came about on his most recent appearance in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Verrazano was a multiple Group One winner for leading American trainer Todd Pletcher, enjoying his finest hour when running out a devastating winner of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in July of last year.

He joined O'Brien at the start of the current campaign and although he failed to get his head in front, he was placed in both the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing last of nine runners in the Eclipse.

O'Brien told www.coolmore.com: " Verrazano was found to be lame after the Eclipse and although it is not a significant injury, time would not permit us to have him ready for the Breeders' Cup so the decision has been made to retire him.

"It's very disappointing as he ran two lovely races on his first two starts for us and we had been looking forward to a great season with him."

Pletcher said: "Verrazano is a striking individual to a look at - a really gorgeous horse.

"He always impressed me, both in the mornings and in the afternoons.

"His run in the Haskell was a monstrous effort. He just blew them away that day."