the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on 7 July. Running for the first time in more than eight months, he started 7/2 second favourite in a field which included Monterosso, Twice Over, Cityscape (Dubai Duty Free), Crackerjack King (Derby Italiano) and Bonfire (Dante Stakes). Buick sent Nathaniel past the pacemaker City Style to take the lead on the turn into the straight. In the final quarter mile, Nathaniel held off several challengers to win by half a length from Farhh with Twice Over third. In the King George, Nathaniel was made 5/2 second favourite to repeat his success of 2011 against a field which included St Nicholas Abbey, Dunaden, Masked Marvel, Danedream, Deep Brillante, Sea Moon and Reliable Man. Buick tracked the leaders before moving Nathaniel into the lead in the straight. He ran on under pressure, but was caught in the last stride and beaten a nose by Danedream. Gosden described the horse's performance coming only two weeks after the Eclipse as "phenomenal" and mentioned the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Champion Stakes and International Stakes as possible future targets. On his next appearance, Nathaniel started 13/8 favourite for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown Racecourse, despite Gosden warning that the horse was being trained for the Arc de Triomphe and might not be at his peak. He took the lead in the straight but was headed inside the final furlong and beaten one and a quarter lengths by the mare Snow Fairy. Five days before Nathaniel's intended run in the Arc he was found to be running a high temperature and when the results of a blood test were unsatisfactory he was withdrawn from the race. After missing the Arc, Nathaniel ran in the Champion Stakes on 20 October. The unbeaten Frankel won the race by one and three quarter lengths from Cirrus Des Aigles, who was a further two and a half lengths clear of Nathaniel in third. Stud career A week after the Champion Stakes it was announced that Nathaniel would be retired from racing and would begin his stud career in 2013 at the Newsells Park Stud in Hertfordshire. His stud fee was announced to be £20,000 in November 2012. His first crop of foals included The Oaks, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Enable and the success of this crop saw his stud fee increase to