Ortenisia’s overseas campaign ended in disappointing fashion at Haydock on Saturday as a cut to her right fetlock resulted in her beating only one horse home in the Group 1 Sprint Cup (1200m).

Ortenisia

Ortenisia's overseas campaign is over after suffering a cut to her right fetlock in the Sprint Cup. Photo by: Taron Clarke

The Paul Messara-trained mare started as favourite after winning the Group 1 Nunthorpe last month but, clearly hampered by the cut, failed to repeat the fast finish shown on that occasion.

Messara said on twitter the cut restricted the seven-year-old’s action during the race and that it was a disappointing way to end the successful overseas journey.

“Ortensia sustained an inch long cut to her right fetlock today at Haydock,” Messara said.

“It wasn’t the way we planned on finishing our preparation in Europe but we could not be more pleased by what she has achieved.

“The cut was right on the point of the sesamoid and certainly would have been painful enough to restrict her action.”

Ortensia’s international racing campaign began in March when she took out the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) in Dubai before having five starts on British soil.

The daughter of Testa Rossa struggled in her first two outings before claiming victory in both the Group 2 King George Stakes (1000m) and the Nunthorpe which made her a Group 1 winner in three different continents.

The experienced mare has now won 13 of 35 starts and what happens next is yet to be decided but Messara confirmed yesterday that the cut has caused no permanent damage.

“Ortensia a little sore and sorry for herself this morning but no permanent damage done,” Messara said.

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