Harbinger, officially rated the best Flat horse in the world, has been retired from racing.
The brilliant winner of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes fractured his near-fore cannon bone on the gallops in Newmarket on Saturday.
He was unbeaten in four runs this season, having landed the John Porter, the Ormonde Stakes and the Hardwicke Stakes prior to his runaway victory in the King George.
In all he won six out of his nine starts and amassed totalk prize money of £773,931.
Harry Herbert, racing manager for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said in a statement issued on behalf of the colt's owners, the Admiral Rous Syndicate: "It is with regret that it has been decided to retire Harbinger from racing.
"Thanks to the professionalism of the veterinary surgeons - Bruce Bladon of O’Gorman Slater & Main, Andrew Bathe of Rossdale & Partners and Antony Clements of Baker & McVeigh - the operation which was undertaken at Rossdales Hospital in Newmarket has been very successful.
"We are pleased to report that thankfully the horse is recovering well. The decision to retireHarbinger is based on the welfare of the horse which is paramount to all concerned. The owners, for whom this is very sad, are naturally sorry that their great horse has had his racing career cut short.
"However, Harbinger has given all concerned the ultimate thrill at the very highest level. The highest rated horse in the world, Harbinger won six of his nine starts and is undefeated this year.
"In winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot so impressively and then producing one of the greatest performances of all time to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by 11 lengths in record time, Harbinger has confirmed himself as one of the all time greats."
