Grand mare Quevega is to be retired from racing after being beaten by Jetson in the World Series Hurdle at Punchestown.

Fresh from landing the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for the sixth successive year, the Willie Mullins-trained Quevega was the 9-10 favourite in the three-mile (4800m) Grade One contest.

She travelled with her usual zest for much of the journey, but Ruby Walsh was hard at work from the home turn.

Jetson, up with the pace from outset, had already stolen a march on his rivals at the top of the straight and Quevega could not reel him in.

It was 10-year-old Quevega's first defeat since 2009, and the curtain has come down on her record-breaking career.

"I think we are going to start discussing her next career as a broodmare," Mullins told At The Races.

"It's not too late to cover her. Her racing career is finished now.

"You'll never replace the likes of her. We try to buy good mares all the time but she'll leave a fair gap in our yard.

"I'll be sorry to see her go, but she finishes in one piece and is sound."