A GROUP 1-winning racehorse has died aged four after reportedly suffering ‘multiple organ failure’ from heatstroke.
Ask Victor More, who won connections more than £2million from just eight races and claimed the Japanese St Leger last October, passed on August 8th.
RIP ASK VICTOR MORE
#アスクビクターモアThe 4yo has died in Japan due to heatstroke.
His biggest win
pic.twitter.com/bgOscgqbKq
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) August 9, 2023
A report on sanspo.com references an announcement from the Japan Racing Association confirming the colt’s death.
Ask Victor More was trained by Yasuhito Tamura and was last seen finishing six-and-three-quarter lengths behind the all-conquering Equinox in June.
He was a son of the legendary Deep Impact and announced himself a superstar when seeing off the country’s best two-year-old Do Deuce on debut in a Group 2 in March last year.
One heartbroken punter asked ‘how does this happen?’ after hearing of Ask Victor More’s death.
Another said: “Oh dear. RIP Ask Victor More.”
A teenager is among 15 heat-related deaths in Japan as the country swelters in record temperatures.
Temperatures in central Tokyo soared to almost 9C above the seasonal average last month – topping out at close to 40C – and the government issued heatstroke warnings.
People were encouraged to avoid going outdoors altogether and to check in on elderly neighbours.
Reports say Ask Victor More’s death has prompted bosses to reconsider races should another heatwave strike next year.
One report said breaks in racing will be enforced when the risk of heatstroke is high.
Racing will be stopped between noon and 3pm when the sun is at its most intense.
More to follow.
