THERE were ‘horrible’ scenes on day two at Royal Ascot as a ‘magnificent’ horse tragically died in the first race.
The Richard Hannon-trained two-year-old filly Harry’s Girl hurt her leg badly in the opening Queen Mary sprint under jockey Sean Levey.
Harry’s Girl, circled, was travelling in the stands-side group when she sadly broke her leg and died in the first race on day two of Royal Ascot
Richard Hannon will have been left gutted after the death of two-year-old filly Harry’s GirlAlamy
ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin said the incident was ‘horrible’ – and cast a shadow over the contest won by Aidan O’Brien’s True Love.
He said: “We’ve just had this confirmed by Ascot – Harry’s Girl did suffer a fatal injury.
“Our thoughts go out to connections.
“It’s desperately sad for the Hannon team after they celebrated with their winner Haatem yesterday.”
The filly, who was part-owned by the trainer and Harry Kane’s former agent Will Salthouse, was a big favourite at his Marlborough yard.
Speaking before the race, the handler said: “She’s a very precocious filly who won well on debut at the Craven meeting and did everything right bar win at York in the Listed Marygate Fillies’ Stakes.
“I really thought she’d win that day and she appeared home and hosed but got caught close home by a fast finisher on the other side of the track which she didn’t see coming.
“Her work has been very good, and she looks magnificent in her coat.
“It’s a typically competitive Queen Mary, but she’s a strong traveller with plenty of boot and this race has been the plan all along so I’m hopeful of a bold show.”
Harry’s Girl, who was bought for £36,000 last August, won on debut at Newmarket in April this year.
She was then a hugely promising second in a Listed contest at York last month.
The daughter of former champion sprinter Harry Angel was given big odds of 66-1 for the Royal Ascot Group 2 but her trainer clearly thought a lot of her.
Sadly she will never get the chance to fulfill that potential now.
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