MOTHER RUSSIA, the brilliant five-year-old mare, has been retired from racing.

She will be joining the band of broodmares at her owner Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud.

Mike de Kock commented on Saturday: “Mother Russia lost a bit of her sparkle when she came back from Cape Town after finishing second in the J&B Met, not looking as well as she could have looked.”

“After discussing her future with Mary we felt there was no point in racing her into the KZN season, during which only the Garden Province Stakes and the Clairwood Mile would have been suitable races.

“Mother Russia brought Mary and the stable lots of joy and she was wonderful to train. She retires sound and happy and we look forward to seeing her progeny on track.  She leaves us on a deservingly high note having won the Queen’s Plate and running a great race in the Met.”

Mother Russia, by Windrush from Russian Muse, won 13 of 29 starts including the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes, the Paddock Stakes and the Empress Club Stakes.  She won over R5 million in stakes.”

“We are not sure which stallion will be covering her first,” added Mike.