Roger Varian's superstar stayer Fujaira Prince has unfortunately suffered a fatal injury on the gallops as he was being prepared for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Saturday.
The seven-year-old son of Pivotal owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum had been a superb horse for connections, winning three of his first four starts and then in June 2020 landed a decent handicap at Royal Ascot by close to four lengths.
Off the back of that run he went into the Ebor and landed the expensive handicap in very taking style, since then, although not winning a race, he has ran credibly in group contests and was set for a big run this weekend in the Long Distance Cup.
He won five of his 12 starts and earned £303,265 in prize money all together and will be a huge miss to the varian yard.
Very sad news regarding the passing of Fujaira Prince - our thoughts are with everyone at @varianstable
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 13, 2021
🏇 12 runs
🥇 5 wins
🏆 Ebor hero
🏆 Royal Ascot winner
🥈 Irish St Leger
💷 £303,265 in prize money
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of stable favourite Fujaira Prince, who suffered a fatal injury on the gallops this morning,” the Newmarket trainer announced on www.varianstable.com.
“Fujaira Prince was a lovely horse who has given us many special moments, the highlight of those being his success the Ebor in 2020.
“He will be much missed by the whole team here at Varian Stable, in particular by his groom Alan Rutter, his work rider Chiara Careddu, barn manager Dee Deacon, and of course by his owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.”