Last year’s Cox Plate winner State of Rest (IRE) will not be defending his Cox Plate title as planned this spring with news breaking that an MRI scan in preparation for his visit to Australia revealed an issue.
Joseph O’Brien, who trained the son of Starspangledbanner to win Group I races in four countries – Australia, Ireland, France and USA - released a statement last night on Twitter.
State of Rest was purchased by Newgate Farm, China Horse Club and partners following his Cox Plate win and has campaigned with great success for his new owners this year.
State of Rest won the Group I Prix Ganay at Longchamp and the Group I Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and retires with the impressive record of five wins and four placings from just 13 starts.
A superb racehorse with a first class Black Type female pedigree, State of Rest will be a popular addition to the Newgate Farm roster in 2023.