Crystal Lily, one of the more impressive Golden Slipper winners in recent years, has died after collapsing at trackwork this morning.
The four year old mare, trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, was completing her preparations for next Friday’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley when it is believed she suffered a heart attack.
Jockey Glen Boss suffered an injured shoulder when he fell from the mare.
He is highly unlikely to ride tomorrow, meaning he misses the ride on warm favourite Smart Missile in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Crystal Lily’s demise is the latest in a string of sad deaths this spring.
The BMW winner Cedarberg, Lightning Stakes placegetter Warm Love, Crystal Mile placegetter Conquering and promising three year old Delago’s Lad have all passed away in recent weeks.
Crystal Lily won four races from fifteen starts, winning almost $2.7 million in prizemoney.
Watch her win in the Golden Slipper here: