Golden Slipper favourite King Kirk has died after a freak incident on Tuesday.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper drowned after taking fright while having a swim at the Randwick racecourse horse pool.

Earlier in the day King Kirk contested a 740m two-year-old barrier trial on his home track.

“Unfortunately, King Kirk has passed away this afternoon following an incident that occurred during his recovery,” a release from the Waterhouse and Bott stable told owners of MyRacehorse.

“King Kirk was routinely swimming at the Randwick racecourse horse pool under the supervision of his regular handler and foreman, when he panicked causing him to swallow a significant amount of water in the process.

“Despite the efforts by his handlers, ATC (Australian Turf Club), staff and veterinarians, he sadly could not be saved.”

King Kirk, a son of first season stallion Ole Kirk, was the early $15 favourite for next year’s $5 million Golden Slipper after his impressive debut win in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate.

Tuesday’s fourth placing in a barrier trial was the colts first public appearance en route to a tilt at January’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast, a race won last year by Waterhouse and Bott’s former star colt Storm Boy.

jockey Tim Clark proclaimed after the barrier trial that King Kirk “was going to be a force in the Magic Millions” in January.

The two-year-old was a $300,000 yearling purchase this year at the Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast.