Harbinger's future in the balance

Racing on the track was this weekend overshadowed by the news the world's highest-rated horse, Harbinger, suffered a potentially career-ending injury.

For many, the four-year-old's spellbinding King George success had been the highlight of the season and potential trips to York for the Juddmonte International, and longer term to Paris for the Arc, had racing enthusiasts licking the lips.

Unfortunately for connections, and any in may ways the sport as a whole, those dreams have now gone up in smoke after the colt fractured his near-fore cannon bone in a routine gallop in Newmarket on Saturday morning.

Although subsequent surgery has been a success, his racing career remains in the balance.

John Warren, director of Harbinger's owners, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "The horse is very comfortable and the cast that was put on his leg to help him get up after surgery has been taken off.

"He's eating up well and has a very good demeanour about him, so it is a very good report about his well-being, which is a great relief.

"We plan to have a discussion with all the shareholders in the next 24 hours and then a decision about his future will be made tomorrow."