Fertility issues have ended the stud career of high profile stallion Cape Cross.

The sire of European champions Golden Horn, Sea the Stars and Ouija Board, Cape Cross also produced dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Seachange from his southern hemisphere crops.

Darley's Sam Bullard said the 22-year-old had failed to get any mares in foal this season at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

"We are approaching the end of March and he has failed to get a mare in foal, so it has been decided that he should be retired from stallion duties," Bullard said.

Cape Cross has sired more than 100 stakes winners across the world.

Golden Horn, who includes the Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe among his wins last year, is standing his first season at Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud in England.