Three-time Group One winner Russian Emperor has officially been retired, with Douglas Whyte paying tribute to the horse that put him on the map as a trainer.

After breaking through at Group One level by defeating Golden Sixty in the 2022 Gold Cup (2,000m), Russian Emperor went onto land consecutive successes in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m), knocking off Romantic Warrior in an epic to defend his crown in 2023.

“He’s been the best horse in my stable and it will be a very hard box to fill. They come around once in a lifetime and he was just a pleasure to have in the stable,” Whyte said.

“I think I was probably the only one that galloped him and I did most of his trackwork. I had a very strong bond with him so it’s a bittersweet day, but he deserves it.

“He did everything so easily and he was very willing. He gave me some very, very fond memories.”

Regally bred by Galileo out of Atlantic Jewel, Russian Emperor also handed Whyte his first overseas success when he snared the Qatar Group One H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) last year.

“I look back and vividly remember those goosebumps when he got up to beat Romantic Warrior and what he did in Qatar,” Whyte said.

“He’s done a great job. He’s been the superstar of my stable and my career and now I think he deserves a paddock.”

Russian Emperor could only manage seventh when attempting a Champions & Chater Cup hat-trick last weekend and he couldn’t add a victory to his tally this season, but he signs off with more than HK$48 million in prize money to his name.

“It was a bit of disappointment for his last run but he’s been an absolute superstar for me,” Whyte said.

While Russian Emperor began his career in Ireland under the tutelage of master handler Aidan O’Brien, winning the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes (1,993) at Royal Ascot in 2020, he could spend his retirement in Australia if Whyte and owner Mike Cheung Shun-ching get their wish.

“We’re contemplating going to Living Legends if there’s space and they accept him, because that’s easier to go and visit him and the facilities are great. That’s the first priority,” Whyte said.