Injury threatens Harbinger's racing career

Harbinger, whose 11-length victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month made him the highest-rated horse in the world, has probably run his last race after he suffered a condylar fracture to his near fore cannonbone in a routine work on the Newmarket gallops Saturday evening.

A 4-year-old son of Dansili trained by Michael Stoute for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, Harbinger underwent surgery at Newmarket Equine Hospital late Saturday night and was reported to be doing "very well" by Highclere director John Warren. While no decision has been made on Harbinger’s future, the chances of him ever returning to the races are slim.

In Harbinger’s extraordinary King George victory, he set the record for largest margin of victory in the 60-year history of the race as well as an Ascot record for 1 1/2 miles. The win was his fourth of the year without a loss and had propelled him into strong favoritism for both the Juddmonte International Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.