Dual Derby-placed Lazy Griff euthanised following injury

Middleham Park Racing hailed Lazy Griff “the horse of a lifetime” after announcing last year’s Derby runner-up had been euthanised following the injury he suffered at Chester last month.

A Group Three winner in France in the autumn of his juvenile season, the son of Protectionist kicked off his three-year-old campaign by finishing second to Lambourn in the Chester Vase and went on to be best of the rest behind the same horse in the premier Classic at Epsom.

He was also third behind Lambourn in the Irish Derby before spending almost a year on the sidelines with injury – and while he did add to his tally in the Coral Marathon at Sandown in July, he was subsequently tailed off in the Goodwood Cup and was then pulled up sharply in a Listed race on the Roodee.

Connections had tried to save the Charlie Johnston-trained colt in the weeks that followed, but sadly had to admit defeat over the weekend.

“It’s obviously very sad news for all involved – he was the horse of a lifetime,” Middleham Park’s Mike Prince told the Press Association.

“I suppose when Tim and Carol (Palin) first set up the business, they were striving to go to the places that Griff took us – to be placed in two Derbys was an absolutely fantastic achievement.

“To experience those races and the thrill of seeing him run so well in such prestigious races, those memories will never leave any of us at Middleham Park and any of the syndicate that are involved with Lazy Griff.”

He added: “It was unfortunate he got the injury after the Irish Derby, which was totally unrelated to his most recent injury. We were looking forward to going to the St Leger with a great chance, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be.

“It was great to see him come back after a year off and show he retained his ability and zest for racing at Sandown and we were obviously gutted when he pulled up at Chester. We were hoping, and the signs were that he could have a nice retirement away from racing, but he had a setback over the weekend and the vets decided that it was in his best interests for him to suffer no longer.

“Hopefully everyone in the syndicate and the general public will remember the good days and take those memories with them.”