Sea Of Class fighting for her life after career-ending bout of colic

Sea Of Class, who helped light up the 2018 Flat season, is fighting for her life after suffering a career-ending bout of colic.

The star filly, who pushed the mighty Enable close in last year's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, is receiving intensive care after an operation on Wednesday.

Her trainer William Haggas told the Racing Post on Sunday morning: "It is with great regret that 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."

Owned by the Tsui family, who bred and raced the four-year-old's sire Sea The Stars, Sea Of Class began her career at Newmarket in April last year, finishing second in a maiden.

She got off the mark in a Listed event at Newbury, but connections resisted the temptation of going for the Investec Oaks – a race Haggas's then stable star was well fancied for.

Instead, she headed back to Newbury for another Listed race before scoring by a neck in the Irish Oaks under a memorable James Doyle drive.

The pair followed up in style in the Yorkshire Oaks before giving Saturday's Coral-Eclipse heroine Enable a mighty scare in the Arc, Doyle and the chestnut flashing home late from a tricky draw.

Many believed she could this year turn the tables on that rival, although Sea Of Class was beaten on her seasonal reappearance on testing ground in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

Haggas added: "This is obviously devastating news for Mrs Tsui and her family, friends and all of the team here at Somerville Lodge.

"We are all praying she makes a full and complete recovery to enjoy life as a broodmare. I will update when there is more to say."

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