A prominent contender for Royal Ascot encountered an unexpected injury while training for her upcoming race.
Lady Of Camelot, under the guidance of trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in Australia, has amassed almost £3 million in earnings as a notable sprinter, notably winning the 2024 Golden Slipper.
The decision for her participation at Royal Ascot was made public months ago, with entries in the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes where she had odds of 8-1 and 10-1 respectively. Her final race before heading to the UK was scheduled to be the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane, Queensland.
Unfortunately, she had to withdraw from the race on Saturday and Royal Ascot due to an injury sustained during a routine beach exercise.
Local stewards reported that Lady Of Camelot incurred injuries to her near foreleg from a stingray during a morning beach swim. The mare received immediate treatment from the stable veterinarian, with further updates pending.
An announcement from owner Go Bloodstock Australia confirmed her withdrawal via Instagram, citing a stingray incident earlier in the day that led to her transport to a specialized veterinary hospital for observation.
As a result of the injury, her participation in the Brisbane Winter Carnival and international campaigns has been ceased immediately to focus on her recovery and well-being.
Expressing disappointment, a team spokesperson emphasized the priority of Lady Of Camelot’s health and care during this challenging period.
Lady Of Camelot was not the only Australian-trained sprinter ruled out from Royal Ascot entries on Tuesday, as Generosity, trained by Chris Waller, also withdrew. Despite these setbacks, other trainers like Bjorn Baker and Henry Dwyer are still set to have representatives at the prestigious event.