HIGHLY promising sprinter Sunburnt Land was killed by lightning overnight in his spelling paddock at Romsey.

Distraught owner David Moodie and trainer Mathew Ellerton could scarcely believe their misfortune.

"It's cruel. I'm not looking for sympathy but it goes to show how hard this game is for everyone,'' Moodie said.

Ellerton said Sunburnt Land had untapped potential.

"I'd like to think he had his best days in front of him,'' he said.

A Group 2 Schillaci Stakes winner, Sunburnt Land finished third to Swick in last Saturday's Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m).

Sunburnt Land is at his best when

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Probaly my Favirote horse running that was going a round at the moment, really crappy news.

freakishly bad news,,, you have to feel for the owners ,, horse racing is hard enough without having this happen to you.

Yea I must admitt this shocked the aaaa out of me when I heard sad news for all involved in the horse.

Just read this post and was unaware until doing so. He was a very brave galloper. Terribly sad.