Ghostwriter taken to hospital after 'freak accident' ruled him out of Newmarket Group 2

Amo Racing's Ghostwriter has been taken to Newmarket Equine Hospital after a "freak accident" in the preliminaries at Newmarket.

A £2m buy for Amo at last month's Goffs London sale, Ghostwriter was the 4-5 favourite for the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes but reared over and was withdrawn on veterinary advice.

Trainer Clive Cox said: "I’m sorry to say he’s sore. It was just a freak accident. I was putting the saddle on when he reared over backwards and sat down. 

"He’s obviously not going to be running after that, and I’m very sorry for everyone not least his owner. He’s sore, so we’ll keep checking him and keep everyone aware of it."

Cox added that Ghostwriter had been taken to the equine hospital, where he would stay overnight for observation.

The Princess of Wales's had looked a good opportunity for Ghostwriter to get back to winning ways after consistent efforts without winning in stiffer company. 

Before Royal Ascot he had contested seven Group 1s in a row, a run that included fourth-placed finishes in last season’s 2,000 Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club, as well as thirds in the Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International and a fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes.

He finished third on his first start for Amo in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and Cox had been looking forward to the race on the July course, saying beforehand that it was “a great opportunity”.

In Ghostwriter's absence, the Princess of Wales's was won by El Cordobes, who provided William Buick with his 2,000th winner in Britain.

El Cordobes (white cap) won the Princess of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

How the scene unfolded

Newmarket correspondent David Milnes was present when the incident occurred. Here's his first person account . . .

Ghostwriter was just about to be saddled in the pre-parade by Clive Cox when the horse suddenly went up and over in a complete 180, with Amo Racing's Amy Drummond present.

After a prolonged inspection by the on-course vet, the decision was taken to withdraw the favourite as he was lame behind.

He was able to walk back off the racecourse.

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