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Outstanding three-year-olds Saxon Warrior and Alpha Centauri have been retired following weekend injuries suffered in their races the Curragh in Ireland.

Champion filly Alpha Centauri, a four-time G1 winner, suffered a fetlock injury when second in Saturday’s G1 Matron Stakes won by Laurens.

The 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, a son of champion Japanese sire Deep Impact, suffered a tendon injury when second to arch rival Roaring Lion in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes.

Saxon Warrior, trained by Aidan O’Brien, also won the G1 Racing Post Trophy as a 2YO and is now destined to start a stud career for Coolmore.

“He badly damaged a tendon in the race,” O’Brien reported. “When we looked at him his tendon wasn’t in a good place. There’s a tear in there and it’s a big pity.”

“He was an amazing horse. Coming into this year we thought he was a horse with a chance to win the Triple Crown.”

After finishing fourth in the Epsom Derby, Saxon Warrior was third in the G1 Irish Derby before finishing behind Roaring Lion in both the G1 Eclipse Stakes and G1 Juddmonte International.

He retires with four wins and three placings from nine starts.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Alpha Centauri, bred and owned by the Niarchos family, proved the standout filly of the year, sweeping the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation Stakes, G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois before Saturday’s second to French classic winner Laurens.

Niarchos racing manager Alan Cooper said the winner of six of her 10 starts has suffered a chip in a fetlock.

“Unfortunately the decision has been taken to retire Alpha Centauri on veterinary advice,” Cooper said. “It’s not a catastrophic injury and hopefully she can enjoy a successful career as a broodmare.”