Multiple Group One winner Verrazano has been retired to stud for the second time after suffering an injury in the Eclipse Stakes.

His first season at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in the United States was delayed in favour of a European campaign.

The four-year-old was a multiple Group One winner for leading American trainer Todd Pletcher, enjoying his finest hour when a devastating winner of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in July of last year.

He did not win under Aidan O'Brien but was placed in both the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing last of nine runners in the Eclipse.

"Verrazano was found to be lame after the Eclipse and although it is not a significant injury, time would not permit us to have him ready for the Breeders' Cup so the decision has been made to retire him," O'Brien said on Coolmore's website.

"It's very disappointing as he ran two lovely races on his first two starts for us and we had been looking forward to a great season with him."