'It was a massive blow' - Burrows devastated by fatal injury to Laraaib

Owen Burrows has described Laraaib as "a star" after the son of Pivotal suffered a fatal injury when exercising on Saturday.

Owned by Burrows's employer Hamdan Al Maktoum, Laraaib won four of his ten starts, including the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot in October.

"It was a massive blow," said the trainer. "He'd been a star for us over the last couple of years and I thought he was as good as ever this year – and think he was getting better – so it was a real kick in the stones.

"His last run behind Crystal Ocean was probably the best of his career. He'd been second to Poet's Word last year and he went on to be a Group 1 horse, and I can't believe Crystal Ocean won't be as well.

Laraaib (royal blue): chased home Crystal Ocean at Newbury last monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"Laraaib was going to go for the Hardwicke then run abroad, and the way he was shaping up I think he would certainly have added to his Group 3 win, whether it was in a Group 2 or a German Group 1."

Burrows, who started training in 2016, added: "It was a nasty injury and he couldn't be saved. He was a great big horse and one of the girls in the yard called him a gentle giant – he was a gentleman in everything he did. It was a sad day and horses like him are hard to find."

Shabaaby: could run at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Based in Lambourn, Burrows could look to Shabaaby to give the yard a boost if he runs in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, but stressed conditions must be suitable.

"I've left Shabaaby in the Wokingham. but he'd need rain leading up to the meeting," he continued. "I know we've had a nice drop recently and some is forecast tomorrow, but he'd need it days before the race to make sure there was still enough juice in the ground."

Owen Burrows: has had a slow start to the seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Burrows endured a testing time in high summer last year and has yet to fully fire this term.

"We're quiet unfortunately and the horses are just taking their time to come to themselves, for whatever reason," Sir Michael Stoute's former assistant said.

"Touch wood, we're not looking like we're dealing with what we had last year – they're scoping well and are healthy in general – but I just feel they could look a bit better. They're still a bit backward in their coats and are desperate for some proper warmth and sunshine.

"We'll crack on with some runners next week and see if we can get the season started, because it's not really got going for us yet."

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