Tragedy at Royal Ascot as two-year-old filly dies in opening race

Tragedy struck on the second day of Royal Ascot as a horse died from racing in the opening contest.
The Richard Hannon-trained Harry's Girl was put down after sustaining a fatal injury during the Queen Mary Stakes.
"Unfortunately, Harry's Girl suffered a fatal injury during The Queen Mary Stakes," a statement from Ascot Racecourse said. "Our thoughts go out to all connections at this time."
ITV Racing presenter, Ed Chamberlain, confirmed the sad news during the broadcaster's coverage of the meeting, saying her sad passing 'cast a shadow' over True Love's triumph.
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."
Harry's Girl, a two-year-old filly, was having only her third start on the racecourse.
The daughter of Harry Angel won her debut at Newmarket in April before finishing a close second in a listed contest York last month.
The race was won by Aidan O'Brien's True Love, who lost her maiden tag in style.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, True Love had chased home Tuesday's Coventry Stakes winner and stablemate Gstaad on her latest start and was duly sent off the 9-4 favourite.
True Love took some time to work her way into the race as Zelaina set a scorching early pace, but she stayed on to real effect in the final furlong to beat 100-1 shot Flowerhead, with Patrick Biancone's American raider Lennilu third.
It was win number 93 for O'Brien at the big meeting, although rather surprisingly his first in the Queen Mary.
He said: 'She's lovely and in her first run Ryan came in and said they won't beat her again and then after her second run Wayne (Lordan) said the same thing, that they won't beat her again, and then you have to consider the two that beat her (Lady Iman and Gstaad) are very good horses.
'Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and Michael (Tabor) has always loved her and always spoken about her. It's great as her mother (Alluringly) is in foal to City Of Troy and her sister is in foal to Wootton Bassett so it's marvellous really.
'She was drawn by herself and there was no pace where she was so she had to go and do her own work and that's what Ryan did, he was excellent on her. She was probably strongest in the last half-furlong and when she got going she really powered away.
'Ryan said he was a little slow to step and a little on the back foot all the time and I think that's why he was trying to stoke her up a bit, but late on she was really strong.
'She had to work really hard and the only place she was going to get company was out in the middle and Ryan did really well to let her go there. She was under the pump a long way out, but so strong at the line and is obviously high class.
'She's like a four-year-old really and Ryan thought she would be better when she steps up to six furlongs and she's a big, mature filly who walks around the ring like a four-year-old, she's so scopey – she's something to look forward to.'
On future plans, O'Brien added: 'I think we look forward to going up in trip now, the lads will decide that. You would imagine she would have no problem going six furlongs, but she is No Nay Never and he's a big speed influence always.
'The Queen Mary winner seems to always head to Deauville (Prix Morny) or the Curragh (Airlie Stud Stakes) and that would be the two races really or there is the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket in July. That may come too soon, but we will see how she is.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

RTÉ News​

an hour ago

• RTÉ News​

Rory McIlroy inside top ten as Tommy Fleetwood leads Travelers

Rory McIlroy remains inside the top ten, however, he sits nine shots off the lead ahead of the final day at the Travelers Championship. McIlroy actually moved up the leaderboard following his third round 68, now into a share of eighth place, but is unlikely to challenge for the title on Sunday as Tommy Fleetwood heads the field on 16-under-par. The five-time major winner enjoyed the perfect start on Saturday as he played a flawless front nine in four under par following birdies on the second, fourth, sixth and eighth holes, however, his round began to unravel on the 12th hole as he made double bogey. McIlroy got one shot back on the 15th but handed it right back on the following hole before finishing with a couple of pars to sign for a two-under round and sit on seven under for the tournament. Shane Lowry also moved up the leaderboard, following an impressive four-under 66 to end the day on one-over-par. Five birdies and just the solitary bogey for the former Open champion who ended the day in a share of 51st place. Fleetwood, who is still searching for his maiden PGA Tour victory, put himself in prime position for Sunday's final round by posting a seven-under 63 to lead by three shots from American duo Russell Henley and Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.

The 42

3 hours ago

• The 42

Gavin Tiernan beaten in epic Amateur Championship final

LOUTH'S GAVIN TIERNAN was beaten in a thrilling 36-hole battle with America's Ethan Fang in the Amateur Championship final at Royal St George's. Tiernan was an unexpected finalist, ranked outside the 1000 male amateur golfers in the world, at 1340th. Advertisement But the 19-year-old more than held his own against the world number seven. Tiernan found himself one-up after 18 holes, having never trailed in the opening round, before Fang fought back to take a two-up lead as Tiernan registered bogeys across three of his first five holes. Yet Tiernan battled back and excellent putts on the 16th and 17th put the pair level again moving toward the 36th hole. A superb approach shot from Fang then set up the American to birdie the hole and claim the title. Fang's reward includes an invitation to play at next month's Open in Royal Portrush, along with the 2026 Master and US Open.

Irish Examiner

4 hours ago

• Irish Examiner

Gavin Tiernan pipped at the last hole as Ethan Fang claims Amateur Championship title

19-year-old Gavin Tiernan was narrowly defeated in the Amateur Championship final by US opponent Ethan Fang at Royal St George's. Tiernan was ranked outside the top 1000 male amateur golfers sitting at 1340th in the world. Fang came out on top in the final after their 36-hole battle which was decided on the final green - Tiernan had led for large portions of the contest. Fang hit a near perfect final approach on the last flag with Tiernan needing to putt a very long birdie to apply pressure to his American oppenent. It looked like it was going to drop but just crept past the final hole which allowed Fang to roll in a four footer to claim the prestigious title earning entry to next month's Open along with entry to the 2026 Masters.