Harbinger wins the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot

By Frank Keogh

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Harbinger suffered a fractured leg on Newmarket's gallops on Saturday, say owners Highclere Racing.

Officially rated the best horse in the world, he injured his near-fore cannon bone during a routine canter.

Highclere spokesman Harry Herbert said: "This is a bitter blow for all 12 of Harbinger's owners and indeed all who are closely connected with the horse.

"A decision as to Harbinger's future will be taken imminently."

The near-fore cannonbone is the front left shin and there are fears the Sir Michael Stoute-trained horse may not be able to race again.

Herbert said the injury would be deeply disappointing for horse racing fans, for whom the four-year-old, had become an "icon".

"It was clear on return from the gallops that all was not well and X-rays revealed the fracture," he added.

Harbinger won the King George in July by a record 11 lengths from Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco, and was installed as hot favourite for Europe's richest race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.

606: DEBATE Terrible news after establishing himself as the best middle-distance horse in Europe captainchristy2

He had been due to warm up for the big French race with a run in the Juddmonte International at York on 17 August.

But major bookmaking firms suspended betting on both the Juddmonte and Arc on Saturday morning as rumours about the horse's wellbeing surfaced.

Harbinger, a son of Dansili, has won his last four races, including the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, and has accrued more than £770,000 in prize-money.

John Warren, co-owner of Highclere Stud, added: "It's a devastating blow for the British racing public."

Olivier Peslier, who rode the horse to victory in the King George, indicated he may not race again.

"It's very sad news, for the horse and for everybody. He was the hot favourite for the Arc, which everybody was waiting for," the French jockey told the Guardian newspaper.

"He's a fantastic horse and, when I received the news, I was very sad because when you have a champion like that, it's a big pity to finish the career like this."

Stoute, who has never won the Arc, also trains Epsom Derby winner Workforce who was deposed as ante-post favourite for the Longchamp contest after finishing fifth to stablemate Harbinger in the King George.

Following the news of Harbinger's injury, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Rip Van Winkle was made favourite for the Juddmonte while his stablemate Fame and Glory, who runs in Ireland on Sunday, is the new Arc market leader.

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