BECKHAMPTON trainer Roger Charlton hailed Bated Breath’s “bombproof temperament” as the star sprinter embarks upon a stallion career.

The five-year-old entire, owned by Khalid Abdullah, is this week set to retire to stud after securing six wins from 18 starts, and earning just under £420,000 in prize-money.

Although a Group One triumph proved elusive, the consistent Bated Breath finished second four times at the highest level – including in this season’s King’s Stand Stakes and in last year’s Betfred Sprint Cup.

His one Pattern-race success came in the Group Two Temple Stakes in May, when he smashed the five-furlong course record at Haydock.

Charlton said: “Bated Breath leaves Beckhampton this week to go to Juddmonte Farm’s Banstead Manor Stud to take up stallion duties alongside his hugely popular sire Dansili.

“He has been a wonderful horse to train, genuine, tough, sound, and consistent with a bombproof temperament.

“I am sure when breeders see him they will fall in love with him.

“We will all miss his wonderful bold head looking out of his box and I will look forward to training his sons and daughters.’’

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