Crystal Ocean's racing career is over after the 5-year-old sustained a leg injury during routine exercise in Newmarket on the morning of Sept. 12.
Sir Michael Stoute's stable star, who won the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot this season, was pulled up and dismounted halfway up the Warren Hill Polytrack, put into a horse ambulance under the supervision of vets Baker McVeigh and later underwent surgery.
Peter Stanley, spokesman for owner/breeder Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, said Thursday: "Crystal Ocean has had two screws inserted in a hind cannon bone and has come through the surgery successfully. It should in no way affect his future stud career."
Favored for next month's QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot and a general 7-1 chance for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), Crystal Ocean had a glittering career for the Freemason Lodge and Beech Hurst team over the past four seasons, winning eight of his 17 races and more than £2 million (US$2,647,105) in prize money.
He appeared better than ever this year and was named the world's best racehorse after landing his first group 1 at Royal Ascot in June.
The following month, he faltered by just a neck to give three pounds to Enable, who is currently ranked the world's best horse, in a memorable battle up the straight in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot.
It was a similar tale at York last month when the son of Sea The Stars again went down fighting when beaten a head by Japan in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1).
