Horse Racing

Undefeated Valyra put down after freak injury

Unbeaten French filly Valyra has been put down after suffering a serious injury while walking on the beach at Deauville.

Valyra made her debut in April this year and won the Prix Robert Migaud, Prix De Brunehaut and Group 1 Prix De Diane Longines.

Her win in the Prix De Diane Longines was particularly impressive as the filly showed stunning acceleration to come from the back of the field and win comfortably.

She was being prepared for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and was considered an excellent chance, being rated a 10/1 chance at Bet365.

The filly was owned by colorful racing personality Aga Khan and trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, with both men extremely upset at the loss of their star filly.

“Valyra fractured her femur this morning while she was in training. It was on the beach at Deauville where they go for a little walk in the early morning. It could have happened anywhere. It was a bad fracture of the femur and we looked at all solutions to try to come up with a surgical solution but unfortunately we had to let her go,” Khan’s racing manager, Georges Rimaud, said.

“It is a terrible accident and a great loss for His Highness the Aga Khan and our stable. We have lost a filly with true class. She was a very sound individual and a pleasure to train. Her full potential had yet to be realized, but there was no other option than to put down, her injury proving too severe,” Rouget said.

The tragic loss has significantly changed the betting marker for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

At Bet365 Camelot is still favorite, priced at 5/1, while last year’s winner Danedream has shortened to be 8/1.

Racing super star Frankel is currently priced at 33/100 but is now considered unlikely to run.

You can bet on the 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Bet365.