The horse racing world was rocked and shocked on Sunday morning by the news that Yorkshire & Irish Oaks winner SEA OF CLASS has been left fighting for her life, after suffering a career ending bout of colic.
Colic is most commonly caused by gas in the gut but can be a result of a variety of things from stomach gramps, the blood supply to the gut been shut off or trapped intestine.
Trainer William Haggas was quick to release a statement.
(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "I have to announce that Sea Of Class underwent a colic operation on Wednesday, which will end her racing career.
"At the moment she is at the vets and receiving intensive care and is doing everything as well as can be expected."
The Sea The Stars filly has had quite a career despite only running seven times in 14 months.
She claimed back-to-back Listed victories at Newbury, after a close second on debut at Newmarket last April.
These were then followed by a brace of Group One triumphs in the Yorkshire and Irish Oaks, all of which began to build up a reputation for her late charges from the back of the field.
Despite not winning, her most famous run came in last years Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, where she flew home from the back of the field to almost get up to beat fellow filly and one of the highest rated horses on the planet, Enable.
After a stellar season as a Classic contender and subsequent winner, much was made of how she would fare as a four-year-old and without a prep run, she headed to the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The soft ground failed to suit her now iconic tactics and she finished a lacklustre fifth.
Everyone at The Winners Enclosure would like to wish the horse a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with connections at this undoubtedly difficult time.