Horse died in build-up to Queen’s stud visit

ONE of the most expensive aspects of the controversial clean-up organised for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in May has been revealed as the loss of a lucrative horse living at the National Stud.

Verglas, who was partly -owned by Irish taxpayers, died two days before he was due to be inspected by the Queen. She and her husband Prince Philip came to the farm in Kildare to enjoy a stallion parade on the third day of her state visit.

The semi-state company has now confirmed the pale grey sire died when he broke his lower back while fighting against efforts to spruce him up for her arrival.