Horatio Nelson was Britain's greatest naval hero. His equine namesake was certainly living up to the task of carrying such a famous name, only to have a career of Group One winning glory interrupted on Saturday - and in the worst possible way. The two-time group winning son of Danehill was euthanized after breaking a leg 600 yards from the finish in the English Derby. You could almost hear the stunned silence from the international media who share a role in enticing fans to the sport as they thought "NOW WHAT?" ... not forgetting that it was just two weeks since they had reported on Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro shattering his right hind leg at the start of the Preakness Stakes.

Sir Percy went on to win the Derby in one of the closest finishes in the 227-year history; just as 2 weeks earlier Bernardini had swept to victory in the Preakness. Deserved victories, yes, but alas they were celebrated in muted tones and in far from ideal circumstances.

Meanwhile the rest of us are left to ponder a jarring fact of racing life - breakdowns - but this time in front of six figure crowds, many of whom are demanding answers.

And why shouldn't they? Our sport competes with (amongst other things) poker and football. These are sports that unfortunately don't have to worry about such factors as the lion hearts of its competitors; albeit hearts balanced atop a combination of bone, tendon and sinew that doesn't always handle the stress placed upon them.