Desert Crown: Frankie Dettori's mount ruled out of Royal Ascot
- Published
Frankie Dettori has already won two Classics this year
Royal Ascot 2023 |
|---|
Venue: Ascot Racecourse Dates: Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 June |
Race times: 14:30- 18:10 BST Coverage: Updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Berkshire |
Desert Crown, who was set to give Frankie Dettori a plum ride at his final Royal Ascot, has been ruled out of the meeting.
Owner Saeed Suhail had lined up the retiring 52-year-old, to replace Richard Kingscote in the Prince of Wales's Stakes on 21 June.
Desert Crown was the 2-1 favourite and a leading chance for the Italian to add to his Ascot tally.
But the horse will no longer run after suffering a setback.
After a routine canter under Ted Durcan on Saturday morning, he was found to be lame.
Kingscote won the Derby on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old last season, but the colt was beaten on his first run since Epsom at Sandown.
Dettori's triumphs this season have already included two Classics - the 2,000 Guineas and the Oaks.