Harbinger: highest rated horse in the world following Ascot demolition job

  Picture: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com  

Harbinger could make Juddmonte return

HARBINGER could make a quicker than expected return to action after it was revealed that the Juddmonte International at York was being considered ashis next race.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old, the highest-rated horse in the world following his 11-length victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at  Ascot eight days ago, is being aimed at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.

However, his trainer has advised Harbinger’s owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing that the son of Dansili can race again before Longchamp, although it will cost them £50,000 to supplement the colt for the York race.
 
Highclere spokesman Harry Herbert told their website on Saturday: "The horse looks really well and Sir Michael reports that he has now put back all of the weight that he lost during the race.

“He feels that it is too long a gap between now and the Arc for Harbinger not to have another race and, with this in mind, we are seriously considering running him in the Juddmonte International on August 17."

Should Harbinger run in the 1m2f Juddmonte International it would be his first run at a distance of less than 1m4f since he lost his maiden tag at Chester in May last year.