Winner of four Group 1 titles in an impressive career, talented mare Appearance has been retired from racing after suffering a ligament injury at Warwick Farm yesterday while preparing for a tilt at this weekend’s Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1100m).

Having returned to the track in scintillating form this preparation, Appearance claimed the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) with ease first-up on February 8^th before again strolling home to win the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) and continuing her impressive campaign with her fourth Group 1 title in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 15^th.

Performing well in a hit-out yesterday morning, trainer Guy Walter told News Limited the classy Commands gelding appeared to be in great shape.

“She worked yesterday morning and everything looked fine, but late in the day we noticed some filling near the fetlock” Walter said.

“We had some scans done and late last night we got the results, which unfortunately shows she has suffered some ligament damage.”

Owned by Sheikh Mohammad’s Darley Operation, Walter said that while yet to converse with the syndicate’s Managing Director; the injury’s seriousness is likely to speak for itself.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with Henry Plumptre yet, but I would say she has run her last race” he added.

Amassing nine wins and three places from only 19 race starts, Appearance broke through for her maiden Group 1 title in impressive fashion, jumping at particularly long odds to claim the 2012 Myer Classic (1600m), but was arguably most impressive over the autumn of 2013, scoring back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m).

Walter had outlined a particularly busy preparation for the exciting five-year-old this time in, with appearances in the George Ryder Stakes, Doncaster Mile (1600m), Queen Of The Turf Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) all slated.

With a breeding career now looming for Appearance, Walter said he was blessed to have been able to share an impressive racing record with the outgoing mare.

“She has been a wonderful mare with a fantastic race record” Walter said.

“She is going to make an outstanding broodmare for Darley.”