Sanders was aboard Luca Cumani’s Speed Gifted and was thrown to the ground as Sir Duke clipped heels and fell three furlongs out – bringing down his mount and Cheshire Prince in the process.

Although fellow riders Dean Heslop and Pat Dobbs escaped injury, Sanders was not so lucky and now faces surgery on his leg.

His agent Keith Bradley said: “He’s going to be operated on as it’s a clean break of his femur – I understand a clean break is better than a partial break.

“He’s definitely out for the rest of the season.

“It is a shame but that’s the nature of the sport, it is dangerous and unfortunately it’s our name that’s come out of the hat this time.”

Sanders, who shared the leading rider title with Jamie Spencer last term, has already notched up 89 winners this term and secured a first British Classic success aboard Look Here in the Oaks.