Racing tragedy as Creative Force suffers fatal injury with punters 'in absolute tears' over death of top class sprinter

RACING was hit by tragedy on day one of the York Dante Festival when top class sprinter Creative Force suffered a fatal injury.

The Godolphin-owned sensation sadly went wrong during the Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Stakes.

Creative Force, who won at Haydock just last weekend, was slowly away and appeared to pick up the injury half-way through the six-furlong sprint.

Sadly, the Charlie Appleby-trained runner had to be put down.

ITV host Ed Chamberlin was quick to lead tributes to a horse devastated punters labelled a 'little legend' - as Godolphin released a statement saying it was a 'very sad day'.

Chamberlin said live on ITV4: "The sickener from the race I'm afraid is the news we feared, Creative Force picked up a fatal injury and had to be put down.

"What a star that horse has been in all the top sprints, and won at Haydocks just last weekend.

"A really sad postscript to the Group 2 sprint."

The race was won by Michael Dods' Azure Blue - but social media was awash with tributes to five-year-old gelding Creative Force.

One punter said: "RIP. A fabulous horse."

ITV Racing tweeted: "Creative Force has sadly been put down following a fatal injury in the Duke Of York Clipper Stakes.

"Our thoughts are with connections at this difficult time."

While another comment read: "My heart is broken into a million pieces. In absolute tears.

"The most wonderful little horse with an amazing personality and a huge talent."

And one post said: "Awful, just awful. Rest in peace Creative Force. Thoughts go out to all connections involved."

Creative Force had won seven of his 17 races, picking up more than £830,000 in prize money.

He was a Group 1-winning sprinter having claimed the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot in October 2021.

James Doyle was in the saddle for his final win at Haydock just four days ago.

While it was champion jockey William Buick, who rode Creative Force to victory on that Champions Day win, in the saddle at York.

In a statement posted on Godolphin's website, Appleby said: "We are very saddened with the passing of Creative Force, who was a real yard favourite at Moulton Paddocks.

"It’s a very sad day for everyone at Godolphin to lose a horse who always wore his heart on his sleeve and put up great performances year after year.

"We would like to thank William Derby and all his team at York for handling a difficult situation with speed and compassion."