Delight turned to despair for horse trainer Roger James at the Cambridge barrier trials when his new colt broke a leg just after coming second in its first race.
James had to ring around the 14 owners - all of whom were waiting excitedly for the result - to tell
them Zadoute had been put down.
Seven months ago James paid $410,000 for the colt by sire sensation Redoutes Choice from the Zabeel mare Za Tiara at New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka sale.
"The ownership syndicate was made up of 14 people with 10 shares that were held by very solid supporters of the stable who backed my judgment."
Zadoute finished yesterday's trial without a hitch.
"Andrew [Calder, the jockey] loves this horse. He doesn't normally ride work here at Cambridge on Friday mornings, but he's always said to me he'll ride this horse if I need him.
"The colt did well. He got back, ran into it and finished off nicely."
Calder said there was no sign anything was wrong after the trial.
"He pulled up nicely and I gave him a pat and said well done.
"He was cantering back and suddenly his leg went bang. It was like a cannon going off."
James said he dreaded making the phone calls to the owners who were not at the trials.
"As soon as they heard my voice they said: 'How did he go, how did he go?' I don't want to have to make those calls again."
