Terrible conclusion to the Hardwicke

Sadness enveloped Royal Ascot's final day as Thomas Chippendale collapsed and died following a suspected heart attack after winning the Hardwicke Stakes.

The 8/1 chance galloped all the way to the line under Johnny Murtagh to give trainer Lady Cecil a second success of the week. Dandino (10/1) finished second, with Universal (10/1) rallying for third.

However the contest will forever be remembered for the horror that unfolded afterwards as Murtagh dismounted from Thomas Chippendale shortly after the winning post and the horse collapsed on the grass only seconds later.

"I felt him give a little shimmy, I jumped off him and he lost his balance and collapsed It's heartbreaking for everyone involved," the jockey told Channel 4. "I got a lovely run and my horse has won well but I'm devastated at the way it's finished."

Favourite Ektihaam also failed to finish the race, having skidded on the turn at around the halfway stage and crashed into the running rail, throwing Paul Hanagan to the turf.

Hanagan was able to walk away from the fall, but was stood down for the rest of the day by the racecourse doctor, while Ektihaam was unhurt.

Lady Cecil said: "I'm heartbroken, it was devastating, but at least it was quick and he wouldn't have felt anything.

"I didn't know what had happened until I came back. I thought everything was all right but it seemed all quiet and I had no idea why.

"The horse had been working so well."

Owner Sir Robert Ogden's racing manager Barry Simpson said: "He was such a consistent horse, his form was in the book and although I was disappointed when he was beaten by Al Kazeem that horse has won two big races since."

Dandino's trainer Marco Botti said: "It was a very messy race and he got hampered when the other horse fell and by the loose horse.

"He finished the race very well and we will continue preparing him for the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup."

Mark Johnston, trainer of Universal, said: "It was unsatisfactory. The jockeys didn't know whether to go with the loose horse or not.

"It hasn't suited us but he stayed on well when the fourth horse (Noble Mission) went past him.

"He's in the King George and that would be tempting, while races like the Canadian International, Japan Cup and the Irish Leger will also be considered."