Setback Rules Desert Crown out of Ascot

[Wandering Eyes]

Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has been ruled out of his intended start in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot after sustaining a minor injury on Saturday. 

“The horse trained well on Saturday morning and has had a little setback that we are investigating,” said James Savage, assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute.

“We'll know more when we do more tests tomorrow [Monday]. He won't make Ascot but it does not appear to be a season-ending injury. It's unfortunate but he's a bit sore. We'll see how he is on Monday.”

Last year's Derby winner was unbeaten in his three runs in 2022 but a foot issue meant that he was off for the remainder of the season after Epsom. He returned after almost a year's absence to run a close second to Hukum (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S on May 25.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Desert Crown's owner Saeed Suhail, added: “I knew they weren't happy with him yesterday morning.

“He worked well on Wednesday. He doesn't usually work like a rocket. His general work practice is to go steady early and to quicken.

“I didn't see him yesterday. He worked nicely and I believe it was on his own. His final gallop was going to be next Tuesday or Wednesday with [Frankie] Dettori on him. That was at 10 o'clock in the morning. At 12 o'clock, I heard he was a bit lame.

“They were having a good look at him. Injuries so close this time to the race mean you don't take chances.”

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