Sheila Lavery heartbroken after death of 1,000 Guineas runner-up Lady Kaya

Sheila Lavery has been left heartbroken after the death of stable star Lady Kaya following an accident on the Curragh gallops on Tuesday morning.

The County Meath trainer revealed the 1,000 Guineas runner-up broke a leg during her last piece of serious work before next week's Royal Ascot.

The three-year-old put up a valiant performance behind Hermosa at Newmarket in May and was as short as 8-1 for the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup next Friday.

Her Classic performance had been just the latest in a string of promising displays, including a runner-up performance in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes as a juvenile last season and victory in the Group 3 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown in April.

Speaking on Tuesday, Lavery said: "We're all heartbroken. Lady Kaya was doing her last bit of serious work for Ascot on the Old Vic gallop at the Curragh. Robbie [Colgan, jockey] was riding her and heard a bang behind and pulled the filly up immediately."

Sheila Lavery with Lady KayaCredit: Caroline Norris

Lady Kaya's association with the Lavery family went deeper than merely racing. The daughter of Dandy Man was purchased by Lavery's niece, Joanne, as a foal in 2016, who then bought her back when the bidding faltered at €12,000 at the yearling sales the following year.

On just her second start, the-then two-year-old put ten lengths between herself and subsequent Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood in a Curragh fillies' contest in August 2018, before being twice beaten by Group 1 winner Skitter Skatter at the same venue in August and September.

Lady Kaya rounded off her juvenile campaign when a two-and-a-half-length sixth to Fairyland in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket.

Lavery, for whom Lady Kaya's Leopardstown victory represented a first Pattern success, added: "When it happened all I wanted was that we would be able to save her, but sadly that was not possible. She shattered a hind leg just below her stifle. It's a huge blow and we're all terribly upset."

Lady Kaya: winning her maiden by ten lengthsCredit: Caroline Norris

Dual-purpose rider Robbie Colgan, who partnered the popular filly in all seven of her starts, previously told the Racing Post he feared he may have been "mucking out stables right now" had Lady Kaya not come along to illuminate the latter stages of her career.

Despite her classy display over a mile at Newmarket, the speed shown by Lady Kaya over her seven starts had convinced connections to drop in trip to 6f for the Commonwealth Cup.

The loss of the top-class filly is another major hit to the Group 1 contest following the defection of the John Gosden-trained Calyx last week.

It leaves 2,000 Guineas fifth Ten Sovereigns as the clear market leader at a general 7-4, with shock Sandy Lane Stakes winner Hello Youmzain next best in the market at between 11-2 and 7-1.

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