Croco Rouge, fourth in yesterday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, has been bought to stand as a stallion at the Irish National Stud. However, a decision as to whether he retires at the end of this season or races as a four-year-old has yet to be taken.

Runner-up to his stable companion, Dream Well, in the French Derby, Croco Rouge had earlier in the season won the Group One Prix Lupin and the Group Two Prix Greffulhe for trainer Pascal Bary and owner Wafic Said. The Rainbow Quest colt also won over nine furlongs at Longchamp as a two-year-old.

Earlier this year the National Stud purchased Desert Prince after he won the Irish 2,000 Guineas. That colt has subsequently won the Prix du Moulin and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.