Nayyir, who has been a tremendous servant to Gerard Butler's Blewbury stables, near Didcot, has been retired.

The nine-year-old gelding won nine of his 37 starts, including the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood twice and the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom twice.

And he came agonisingly close to Group 1 glory, being placed at the highest level on several occasions, including when second to Soviet Song in the Sussex Stakes in 2004.

Nayyir's success was more remarkable as he almost died in December 2002 after contracting a severe form of colitis while in Hong Kong.

But Butler nursed him back to health, and he went on to claim more Group race glory.

He amassed £570,611 in prize money, with his last win coming in thrilling fashion in the Listed Churchill Stakes at Lingfield in November.

However, he has failed to sparkle in his last three starts, and his connections decided to call it a day after he was unplaced at Glorious Goodwood.

Butler said: "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the retirement of Nayyir.

"He has had a fantastic career. I think his best win was in the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket when he beat Firebreak.

"Luckily for him and more so for myself, he was owned by one of the world's most sporting owners Sheikh Abdulla Al Khalifa.

"I am sure both he and I will look back on Nayyir's career with immense pride and satisfaction.

"When I think back to how he pulled through being as close to death's door as you could possibly be - he showed unbelievable strength and toughness to be able to come back and perform again at the highest level.

"We will all miss him a tremendous amount."