Connections of superstar filly Zarkava have been quick to salute the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine after her retirement to the paddocks.
The daughter of Zamindar bowed out at the top after recording an unbeaten seven-race sequence, with her owner the Aga Khan branding her 'a supreme athlete', and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre saying her career had been 'a beautiful story'.
In a statement issued to PA Sport, the Aga Khan added: "While no-one will regret more than my management team and I not to see Zarkava race again, as she is a supreme athlete, we have decided to retire her to the Aga Khan broodmare band as she will be an invaluable asset to this essential part of our activity."
Dalakhani, the Aga Khan's 2003 Arc winner, will cover Zarkava in her first season at stud in 2009.
Although Zarkava's finest hour arrived in the Arc, the filly also retires a dual Classic winner.
In addition to her French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks victories, she also claimed the Prix Marcel Boussac as a two-year-old and the Prix Vermeille in September.
Royer-Dupre said: "That (the Arc) was the best race for her because when she crossed the finishing line, she had won so easily."
"That was unbelievable - especially as she hit traffic jams during the race."
"I always said her greatest quality was her acceleration."
"The ability to make up so much space in such a short space of time - like she showed in the Vermeille - was incredible."
"It is not very often a horse like this comes along - I have been very lucky."
"She is possibly the best I have trained, but Dalakhani was also a great horse to have."
"Zarkava has been a beautiful story."