Anamoe's racetrack record will stay as it is with Godolphin on Friday announcing that its star four-year-old had run his last race.

As recently as late last week trainer James Cummings said he was 'quite keen' to head to Royal Ascot for the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes on June 20 with the four-year-old, who recovered well from his third placing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

But three days after announcing his introductory stud fee of $121,000, Sheikh Mohammed's operation confirmed there would be no European swansong.

"It is bittersweet to see Anamoe retire from the racetrack," Godolphin Australia managing director Vin Cox said.

"As an iconic figure for Godolphin and the world of horseracing, he leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten and he has nothing more to prove."

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes was Anamoe's 25th start and only second defeat in a season that featured six Group 1 wins, headlined by the Cox Plate (2040m).

He also won the Winx Stakes (1400m), George Main Stakes (1600m) and The Might And Power (2000m) at Group 1 level last spring and this year won the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) before Group 1 wins in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and George Ryder Stakes (1600m).

This season's deeds took his career Group 1 tally to nine wins, having won the ATC Sires' (1400m) at two and Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) as a three-year-old.

He was also narrowly beaten in the Cox Plate at three and was placed in both the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond, both 1200m Group 1 events, as a juvenile.

"Our team is proud of all he has achieved during his racing career," Cummings said.

"He has never let us down and has been there for us at every start. We wish him all the best in his retirement and we can't wait to seeing his progeny coming through the stables in the years to come.

"It has been an immense honour and privilege for our team to care for Anamoe and guide him through his racing career.

"His health has always been our top priority and we take great pride in retiring him in such excellent condition."