Tributes pour in for Beat The Bank - the horse pivotal to King Power's growth

Beat The Bank played a crucial role in the growth of King Power Racing after capturing the heart of late Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

That was the message from King Power Racing's bloodstock agent and adviser Alastair Donald, who on Sunday led the tributes following the death of the organisation's flagbearer Beat The Bank at Ascot on Saturday.

Beat The Bank – who was Srivaddhanaprabha's favourite horse –showed guts and determination to win the Group 2 Summer Mile for the second year running but tragically suffered a fatal injury to his lower near-hind limb.

Donald said: "Beat The Bank was one of the first horses we purchased for the chairman and he was the horse who really got him into the game.

"He had a huge affinity for him – he loved bringing Beat The Bank Polos every time he was being saddled up and would have him cradled in his arms. I think this horse gave him a big passion for the game.

Beat The Bank (Silvestre de Sousa, left) seeing off Sharja Bridge to win the bet365 Mile at Sandown last seasonCredit: Mark Cranham

"He was such a tough horse who always had that flat spot where he looked almost beat, but you would never panic as you knew he was going to come back. He was a warrior and he's gone out on his shield."

Beat The Bank won nine of his 18 races, including five at Group 2 level, and earned more than £600,000 in prize-money. He was only narrowly denied a breakthrough success at the highest level when edged out by Lord Glitters in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot last month.

Donald added: "He had a great following and it's a shame he never won his Group 1, but not many horses have won five Group 2s. He was a horse everyone loved. He was a special horse."

Beat The Bank (left): narrowly defeated by Lord Glitters (middle) in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Beat The Bank joined Andrew Balding after winning his maiden for Darren Bunyan in February 2017, and Balding was keen to pay tribute to a "magnificent racehorse".

The trainer said: "He was a great horse to have in the yard, it was a privilege to have trained him and obviously everyone will feel his loss very badly. He was a special and magnificent racehorse.

"Josh Bryan, who rode him out every morning, Sandeep Gauravaram, who looked after Frankel and took care of Beat The Bank since the day he moved into the yard, and Kevin Hunt, who ran the barn he lived in, will all be feeling his loss as much as anyone."

Beat The Bank endeared himself to the public with a succession of teak-tough performances and it was his exemplary character which made him stand out to Bryan, who said: "I've ridden him for the last three years and he was a class horse, you wouldn't find another horse with that sort of character.

"He would always put his heart on the line in every race and he would almost try too hard. It's devastating and the whole yard will be lost without him."

Oisin Murphy won four times aboard Beat The Bank, including the Summer Mile and Celebration Mile last year, and spoke glowingly about the yard favourite. He said: "He was a fantastic horse – a flagbearer for King Power Racing – and I was fortunate to be connected with him. He was a great horse and the chairman absolutely loved him.

Beat The Bank and work rider Sandeep Gauravaram at Sha Tin on Wednesday morningCredit: Hugh Routledge

"It's really unfortunate that these things happen, particularly to such a talented animal, and it's going to leave a massive void at Park House. All the staff adored him, especially Josh Bryan who rode him every day, and we won't be able to replace him."

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