Disappointment for Jarlath Fahey as Ebor hope Sea The Lion ruled out of race

Trainer Jarlath Fahey has been dealt a cruel blow as his stable star Sea The Lion picked up a long-term tendon injury at York on Saturday and has been ruled out of a crack at the £1 million Sky Bet Ebor in August.

Sea The Lion finished a gutsy third in the Ebor last year and had the valuable handicap – the prize fund for which has doubled – on his agenda again.

However, all plans are off the table after he was found to be injured after finishing down the field in the Group 3 Silver Cup Stakes.

Speaking on Monday, Fahey said: "We found a bit of heat in his tendon when we came home from England – we're just trying to cool it down at the minute and letting it settle for a day or two.

"We'll get it scanned then and see the extent of the damage."

Sea The Lion (right): battling back to defeat old rival Gustavus Vassa in the Ragusa Handicap at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann

The game eight-year-old has been notoriously good at coming out on the right side of tight finishes, with his six career victories achieved by winning margins of a head, a neck, half a length, half a length, a nose and a head.

However, "everything is ruled out" at the minute for the three-time premier handicap winner, who has had previous injury issues.

Fahey added: "The early signs are that it's not good. He's had trouble in the past and any sign of trouble in his legs is not good news.

"The main prognosis is that once you face a tendon issue you're looking at a long-term recuperation."

Fahey, the man who handled the career of brilliant Royal Ascot-winning mare Jennies Jewel, added: "Of course it's disappointing. In fairness, for a horse who had that trouble badly in the past he's done well to come back and do what he's done, so we can't be too despondent."

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