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One of the standouts of the early two-year-old races has died in an accident at Randwick.
Tulloch Lodge has confirmed the shock death of Breeders' Plate winner King Kirk following a training mishap at Randwick.
The young colt had finished fourth in a barrier trial on Tuesday and was believed to have been under supervision in the equine pool later that day when he reportedly panicked and drowned.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of King Kirk following an incident at Randwick Racecourse yesterday afternoon," Gai Waterhouse confirmed in a statement on X.
"It is a heartbreaking loss, not only for his ownership group, but also for the entire team at Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, and our thoughts go out to all those who had the privilege of working with and supporting King Kirk during his career."
By first season sire Ole Kirk, King Kirk was purchased for $300,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale and posted an impressive win at his only start in the Breeders' Plate (1000m) at Randwick in October.
The success prompted bookmakers to mark him as one of the early favourites for the Golden Slipper, a race Waterhouse and Bott are looking to win back-to-back after taking it out with Lady Of Camelot this year.
