Nine-time Group 1 winner Nature Strip has been retired following a disappointing performance on Saturday.
In his return from a spell, the nine-year-old gelding finished sixth in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick, ending a potential Everest tilt.
Nature Strip had a winless autumn carnival and was nearing retirement, with trainer Chris Waller making the tough decision to allow the champion sprinter to retire as a healthy horse.
With 22 career victories from 44 starts, including the 2021 Everest and 2022 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, the fan-favourite will go down as one of the best short-distance horses in recent history.
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Why did Nature Strip retire?
Waller explained the reasoning behind the decision, which will see Nature Strip leave behind an iconic legacy at the track both in Australia and abroad.
"I'm announcing his retirement on behalf of the owners,'' he told the media on Saturday.
"He's just been an amazing horse and everything he does he does to the best of his ability, even today, he was prepared well, he came to the race sound, he was trialling well.
"Yes, he jumped well, he travelled nicely, he looked to come up the rise well but the same acceleration and spark wasn't there.
"There has been no indication that race ability was not there anymore, but he wasn't the same horse in the race today.
"He's just been such an amazing horse, it's only fitting that we announce it as soon as the decision has been made."
"I'm announcing his retirement on behalf of the owners... it's only fitting that we announce it as soon as the decision has been made."
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2023
Nature Strip will retire as a happy, healthy and sound horse after an outstanding career. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4cFSeGSLqZ
Nature Strip was considered an outside chance to gain a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest and the performance first-up sealed its fate.
Nature Strip career prize money
Over the course of his career, Nature Strip brought home a total of $20.77 million worth of prize money for his connections.
Nature Strip career record
| Starts | Win | Place | |
| Group 1 | 18 | 9 | 3 |
| The Everest | 4 | 1 | - |
| Group 2 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| Group 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Listed | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 44 | 22 | 9 |
