Undefeated Derby winner Desert Crown is OUT of Ascot as a result of a hoof issue which racing managers ‘dare not take a risk with’… but he may make a return at the International Stakes at York next month
- Desert Crown, the undefeated Derby winner, will miss Ascot through an injury
- He has suffered a hoof injury and has already had a scan to assess the damage
- His race managers are targeting the International Stakes in York next month
Unbeaten Derby winner Desert Crown is out of next Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot because of a hoof issue.
Ante-post betting on the mid-season championship race had been suspended on Wednesday after news emerged of the problem and now trainer Sir Michael Stoute has confirmed his colt will not run.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Desert Crown’s owner Saeed Suhail, said: ‘He has had a foot injury and has had a scan. Michael just said to me he won’t be able to run in the King George.
Unbeaten Derby winner Desert Crown will not race at Ascot as a result of a hoof injury
Desert Crown’s race managers are targeting a return at next month’s International Stakes, York
‘If it were a lesser horse, we might take a chance, but you dare not take a chance with a horse like this.’
Raymond suggested that the International Stakes at York next month may now become the next target for Desert Crown.
Christophe Soumillon’s 12-day careless riding ban picked up after nearly bringing down two rivals while celebrating his Eclipse Stakes win on Vadeni has been reduced to eight days on appeal.
Jockey Richard Kingscote rode Desert Crown to victory on Derby Day during the Cazoo Derby
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