‘Absolutely heartbroken' trainer Richard Hannon addresses tragic death of Harry's Girl at Royal Ascot

The Irish Sun

15 hours ago

'ABSOLUTELY heartbroken' trainer Richard Hannon has addressed the tragic death of Harry's Girl at Royal Ascot.
The two-year-old filly, who was co-owned by Harry Kane's former agent Will Salthouse,
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'Absolutely heartbroken' trainer Richard Hannon has spoken out on the sad death of Harry's Girl on day two of Royal Ascot
Credit: PA
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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
She was travelling at the back of the stands-side group in the 5f Queen Mary Stakes when she appeared to stumble.
Jockey Sean Levey did his absolute best to stop the filly running as quickly as possible - but sadly she could not be saved.
Classic-winning trainer Hannon, who was another of her co-owners, posted a message on X describing his despair at the sad loss.
He wrote: "After the highs of Tuesday, we are absolutely heartbroken to have lost Harry's Girl on Wednesday afternoon at Ascot.
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"She was a lovely filly with a fantastic character.
"Our sympathies go out to everyone that looked after her and loved her at home, and of course to her owners."
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.
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"Our thoughts go out to connections.
"It's desperately sad for the Hannon team after they celebrated with their winner Haatem yesterday."
The filly was a big favourite at Hannon's Marlborough yard.
Speaking before the race, the popular trainer 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.
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"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.
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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 odds of 16-1 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.
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