Wednesday was a very sad day for everyone here at Varian Stable, and of course for the owners of Perotto. The six-year-old gelding unfortunately sustained a life-ending injury whilst training, during his final preparations for Saturday’s Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket. Perotto was a dear friend to many, and a horse who has given his owners a terrific journey. He spent his two, three and four-year-old seasons under the care of Marcus Tregoning, and was very successful in winning the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. As a five-year-old he was successful in winning the Coral Challenge Handicap at Sandown, followed by the Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot. On seasonal reappearance this year, he very nearly added the Royal Hunt Cup to his CV, which would have given him a rare Britannia-Hunt Cup double - but it wasn’t quite to be, with Perotto finishing a gallant 3rd.

Perotto was a very genuine horse with a lot of character, he was a regular fixture in some of the season’s most competitive mile handicaps. He was a pleasure to train, and a pleasure to own for connections Halcyon Thoroughbreds. He took us all on a fun journey and will be much missed.

Zac Clarke and Perotto on Warren Hill