YOUNG trainer Denis Hogan has been dealt a cruel blow with the loss of top sprinter Sceptical. The four-year-old had gone close in Group 1 company the last twice and was being prepared for the Phoenix Sprint Stakes this weekend. The speedster’s rise through the ranks had been one of the stories of the season […]
YOUNG trainer Denis Hogan has been dealt a cruel blow with the loss of top sprinter Sceptical.
The four-year-old had gone close in Group 1 company the last twice and was being prepared for the Phoenix Sprint Stakes this weekend.
The speedster’s rise through the ranks had been one of the stories of the season so far.
Rejected by Godolphin and bought for just £2,800 by his current owners at the sales, he won four of his first five career starts.
He was third in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing runner-up in the July Cup on his final outing.
Hogan tweeted: “We have been dealt a devastating cruel blow at Boherna this morning with the loss of our superstar sprinter Sceptical.
“He was a horse of a lifetime and a game changer for my training career and everyone at Boherna.”
His owner group Hilltop Racing took to social media to express their grief at the loss of the horse, confirming he suffered a fatal injury on the gallops.
A tweet said: “We had a terrible tragedy this morning as Sceptical was fatally injured on the gallops.
“He was a tremendous horse for us and we will remember all the great days we enjoyed with him.
“We’d like to thank Denis Hogan and Joey Sheridan and all the staff, we feel so sad for everyone.”
Sceptical chased home Roger Teal’s Oxted in the July Cup last month, and the trainer was one of a number of racing participants to express their sadness at the news.
He said on Twitter: “Such sad news regarding the passing of Sceptical. A great horse that proved you don’t have to spend a fortune to compete at the top.
“Our condolences go to Denis Hogan and everyone connect to Sceptical.”
