Two fatalities on opening day of Royal Ascot

There have been two equine fatalities on the opening day of Royal Ascot today, with Case Statement and Sir Graham Wade being put down.

Case Statement was pulled up more than two furlongs out in the Coventry Stakes race, receiving treatment before being put down.

Sir Graham Wade, meanwhile, picked up an injury in the Ascot Stakes and became the second horse to be "humanely put down" on the opening day.

"The colt received immediate first aid on the course from racecourse veterinary surgeons before being transferred by horse ambulance to the veterinary assessment centre at the racecourse stables, where he was X-rayed," Jenny Hall, chief veterinary officer for the British Horseracing Authority, said of Case Statement.

"The X-rays confirmed Case Statement had sustained a fracture of his near-fore fetlock. Following full evaluation, the nature of the injury was such that sadly there was no other option but the horse to be humanely put down."

Mark Johnston-trained Sir Graham Wade, who won six of his 23 starts, suffered a "serious pelvic fracture" during his race.

"The gelding received immediate first aid on the course from racecourse veterinary surgeons," Hall added.

"The vets diagnosed that he had suffered a serious pelvic fracture and the nature of the injury was as such that there was no other option but for Sir Graham Wade to be humanely put down."

St James's Palace was among the winners on the opening day at Royal Ascot.