King George-Ascot Saturday

Winkle favourite for York after Harbinger injury

RIP VAN WINKLE is a general 11-8 favourite for the Juddmonte International following the news on Saturday that ante-post favourite Harbinger sustained a serious injury on the Nemarket gallops.


The current highest rated horse in the world was diagnosed with a condylar fracture of his near-fore cannonbone (front left shin) following exercise on Saturday morning, an injury that has led to a major shake-up in both the Juddmonte International andQatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe markets.



Ladbrokes and Paddy Power slashed recent Sussex Stakes runner-up Rip Van Winkle into 11-8 (from 5-2) for the York contest, while William Hill go the same price from 3-1.

Connections of Harbinger had hoped to use the Juddmonte as a stepping-stone to the Arc at Longchamp on October 3, which had been the four-year-olds main autumn objective.

However, bookmakers also removed Harbinger from the Arc betting on Saturday and, as a result, shortened Fame And Glory, who like Rip Van Winkle is trained by Aidan O'Brien, into favouritism.

Paddy Power go shortest about the Investec Coronation Cup winner at 5-2 (from 9-2), with Ladbrokes offering 3-1 and Hill's 10-3 (both from 5).

Godolphin's White Moonstone entered the 1,000 Guineas picture with ataking performance to lift the Group 3 German-Thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera Stakes on Saturday.

The daughter of Dynaformer was pitched in at the deep end following her debut win in maiden company, but had no problem coping with the hike in class.

Paddy Power were most impressed with the winner and introduced her into the Classic betting at 16-1.

Big day this morning for connections

Harbinger has been officially retired:(

Hell Bob very sad news sometimes we will never know how the great the great could have been?

King George hero Harbinger retired

HARBINGER, the world's highest rated racehorse, has been retired from racing. The four-year-old colt, who won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by 11 lengths, suffered a fractured leg on Saturday and underwent surgery at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket the same day.

Harry Herbert, of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming the decision to retire Harbinger.

Herbert said: "It is with regret that it has been decided to retire Harbinger from racing. Thanks to the professionalism of the veterinary surgeons - Bruce Bladon of O’Gorman Slater & Main, Andrew Bathe of Rossdale & Partners and Antony Clements of Baker & McVeigh - the operation which was undertaken at Rossdales Hospital in Newmarket has been very successful.



"We are pleased to report that thankfully the horse is recovering well. The decision to retire Harbinger is based on the welfare of the horse which is paramount to all concerned. The owners, for whom this is very sad, are naturally sorry that their great horse has had his racing career cut short.

"However, Harbinger has given all concerned the ultimate thrill at the very highest level. The highest rated horse in the world, Harbinger won six of his nine starts and is undefeated this year.

"In winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot so impressively and then producing one of the greatest performances of all time to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by 11 lengths in record time, Harbinger has confirmed himself as one of the all time greats."

To run in a race like the King George and win that easily, it is very rare.

"I have ridden horses who have won by many lengths, but to win by 11 lengths in a race like that is exceptional.

"Goldikova is the best I have ridden over a mile, but over a mile and a half it has to be Harbinger.

"The most important thing is that the horse is OK."


O Peslier

"he could have been a world champion"

M Stoute

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> Starting to think Harbinger could end up being a
> superstar,His Royal Ascot victory was superb!

Hibernia 27.7.10

I did post about what happened to Shergar but the post vanished, if you have not read its worth a look.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1576718/...orse-kidnapping.html