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Racing World Stunned by Harbinger Injury Blow
10/08/10

The ups and downs of the racing game have once again been brought sharply into focus with the news that following a routine exercise gallop Sir Michael Stoute's brilliant Harbinger has suffered a serious injury that means he will never race again, writes Elliot Slater.

Harbinger's rise to the very top of the international rankings has been meteoric as he was no more than quietly progressive last term. His victory in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June was tremendously impressive and suggested he had taken a huge leap forward, but no one expected him to go on to win the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot by an astounding 11 lengths, leaving Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco and triple Arc runner-up Youmzain toiling in his wake and in the process achieving an international rating of 135.

All had seemed set fair for a run at York in the Juddmonte International later this month followed by an assault on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris in October, but after sustaining a condylar fracture of his near-fore cannonbone the son of Dansili has undergone emergency surgery to put two screws into the joint, a delicate procedure that means he won't be seen on a racecourse again, but should be able to take up stallion duties.

The bitter blow comes after a tremendous run of success for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and once again puts into perspective the fragility of horses and the need to celebrate the good times at every possible juncture.

The news of Harbinger's injury has resulted in major changes to a number of ante-post markets, you can keep up with all the chances on Betsplayer.

In the Juddmonte International at York on August 19, for which Aidan O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle is now 11/8 favourite, Byword is offered at 5/2, Twice Over 10/3, and it's 10/1 bar.