Ascot - Another racing disaster struck today following the abject failure of talked-up royal nag Carlton House in the Epsom Derby seven weeks ago.
Punters at Ascot racecourse were left reeling as King George second favorite Rewilding, ridden by Frankie Dettori, fell two out, broke a cannon bone and had to be humanely put down.
Moments earlier Prince Harry had been seen chatting excitedly in the paddock with jockey Dettori, a wad of winnings already bulging in his jacket pocket and a big anticipatory smile of more to come on his flushed, freckly face.
"Five minutes later and it was all over," RoyalMugPunter.con sources commented.
"The curse of the Windsors has struck again wiping out five million quid in sure fire bets."
The freak accident in the home straight saw Rewilding stumble, toss Dettori out of the saddle and break down on the lush Berkshire turves.
The jockey was quickly taken to hospital where he was pronounced ok - but his four year-old mount was hurriedly destroyed by the racecourse vet.
Victory was claimed by William Buick whose three year-old mount Nathaniel stormed home in the Group One beating last year's Derby and Arc winner Workfarce (sic).
The 11/10fav may have been affected by the tragedy because he suddenly veered off to the left during the closing 500 yard dash home 'like badly a spooked jumper in the Grand National'.
Rewilding's owner Shaikh Mohammed McTomb-Raider's spokesman later said the stable was totally gutted by today's tragedy 'which nobody could have forseen'.
Harry's presentation of the race winning trophy to connections 'was entirely appropriate' given the Queen's already buggered orf to Scotland for the duration.
Clare Balding is 69.
