Tragedy struck Paul O’Sullivan’s yard on Monday afternoon when promising four-year-old Win Beauty Win died in an accident at the Sha Tin stables.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed Win Beauty Win broke loose and hit a fence. While vets attended the scene immediately they were unable to save the gelding, who O’Sullivan had described as the best horse in his stable.

After rising from Class Four to Class Two on the back of four wins from seven starts, Win Beauty Win was on a Derby path for the New Zealand trainer.

“Win Beauty Win is a very promising horse who I think will really excel for us this season,” O’Sullivan told NZ Racing News last month.

Win Beauty Win ‘might be the best horse in my stable’: Paul O’Sullivan

“His record is already very good and if he makes the type of improvement that I think he can then he could be a real contender for a race like the Hong Kong Derby.”

Jockey Chad Schofield was on board for two of Win Beauty Win’s four victories and had earmarked the horse as one of his best rides entering season 2018/19.

The Jockey Club is investigating the incident.