HIGHLY regarded three-year-old Wednaan will be out action for several months after being eased out of Thursday evening’s Meydan Classic over 1400m. The colt was diagnosed with a heart issue.

Christophe Soumillon eased Wednaan out of the Meydan Classic when he felt that something was wrong. (Andrew Watkins).

Wednaan was the strong international favourite to win this Listed event on turf and he travelled nicely in the early part of the race, but showed signs of discomfort shortly after the field swung into the bend. Jockey Christophe Soumillon acted quickly when he felt something amiss, not persevering with his mount.

“This was very disappointing to see, but there was a valid excuse as Wednaan was found to have a fibrillation,” Mike de Kock commented after the race. “Wednaan will be out of racing for a while and will have the necessary veterinary treatment.”