Richard Fahey has not yet decided whether to give Ribchester one final outing in the Breeders' Cup Mile following confirmation he will retire to Kildangan Stud in Ireland in 2018.
The Godolphin-owned five-year-old has struck gold at the highest level on three occasions this season, dominating his rivals in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot before bouncing back from defeat at Goodwood to win the Prix du Moulin at Chantilly.
He was a hot favourite to claim his fifth Group One success overall in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, but with the rain-softened ground against him, he had to make do with the runner-up spot behind John Gosden's filly Persuasive.
The British Horseracing Authority's Official Handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill felt underfoot conditions were not the only factor.
"My view is that the field went off too hard too early as Toscanini attempted to set the race up for Ribchester," he wrote on the BHA website.
"In fact it was noticeable that [Frankie] Dettori took a pull after about a furlong and eased Persuasive back into midfield having originally been upsides Richard Fahey’s colt – and that was a main contributory factor to the result."
Darley confirmed on Tuesday morning the son of Iffraaj will take up stallion duties next year, when he will command a fee of 30,000 euro, but there is the possibility of one final hurrah at Del Mar in California on Saturday week.
Fahey said: "I've spoken to Joe (Osborne, Godolphin chief executive) who has spoken to the boss (Sheikh Mohammed). Basically, they're leaving the decision (on the Breeders' Cup) to me and I'm leaving it to the horse.
"He seems to have come out of Ascot well, but I'm going to leave it a few more days and let him tell me whether he wants to go or not."
Reflecting on Ribchester's racing career, the trainer added: "We just feel very privileged to have had him and I'm sure he'll be a super stallion.
"Without wanting to disrespect any of the other horses we've trained, the ratings tell you he's the best we've had, so it's very easy to say that."
Ribchester is 7/2 for the Breeders' Cup Mile with Sky Bet, non-runner no bet.
