Racing: Sagamix out until the autumn

JUST ONE day after being declared as a likely runner, Sagamix has been ruled out of Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

His trainer, Andre Fabre, took the decision to bypass the pounds 600,000 Ascot race after last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner had been scoped after work on the Chantilly gallops yesterday morning.

Roland de Longevialle, racing manager to Sagamix's owner Jean-Luc Lagardere, said: "Sagamix worked this morning but owing to the fact that a virus has been circulating Chantilly we gave the colt a routine scope afterwards.

"Andre Fabre was not pleased with the result and I doubt whether Sagamix will run again before the Prix Foy, three weeks before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."

Sagamix was quoted at 10-1 with Coral and after his defection the firm cut their favourite, Oath, from 11-4 to 5-2.

Michael Kinane will find out today whether he can replace Douglas Whyte, recovering from an appendectomy, aboard Indigenous in Saturday's race. Kinane may be required for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Rossini in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte.

Jeremy Noseda's Sir Nicholas and Peter Chapple-Hyam's Shining Hour are notables among the seven British and Irish acceptors among the nine entries for the race.