Sheikh had said Vatican City was ‘not right’ before going lameQatar ruling family member already critical of Ballydoyle yardLeading owner Sheikh Fahad al-Thani has deleted a tweet which appeared to suggest that Aidan O’Brien’s colt Vatican City was “not right” before the Group One Sussex Stakes at the track on Wednesday. Vatican City dropped away quickly from two out and finished lame, while Kameko, Sheikh Fahad’s runner in the race, finished fourth behind Mohaather after being repeatedly denied a run in the closing stages.
William Buick, Vatican City’s jockey, reported to the stewards after the race that his mount had been struck into during the race and had also lost a shoe. The colt was also found to have an irregular heartbeat during a post-race veterinary examination.