Desert Crown (GB)

Derby hero Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has been withdrawn from Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International after injuring himself during a workout on Sunday morning, according to owner Saeed Suhail's racing manager Bruce Raymond. "[He] pulled up lame after breezing this morning; [he's] being assessed at [the] equine hospital, [his] career [is] in balance," Raymond told racing broadcaster Nick Luck on Sunday. A winner at first asking at two, the Sir Michael Stoute trainee swept the G2 Dante S. over the Knavesmire last May and won the Derby by 2 1/2...

Dual Group 1 winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who won the Derby and King George in 2022, emerged from his Wednesday gallop in good order and is on target for the G1 Juddmonte International on Aug. 2. "Desert Crown worked this morning, he worked nicely and everybody was happy with him," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail. "He's not a great worker, as has been stated before, but everyone was very happy with him this morning and everything went as well as expected." The Sir Michael...

Eleven high-quality runners will make up one of the greatest renewals of the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth II Qipco S. in recent memory on Saturday, with Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) the biggest missing name among them. Saeed Suhail's troubled 2022 Derby hero's leg infection means that the keenly-anticipated clash of the last two Blue Riband winners in the Ascot monument is cruelly denied, while the three other withdrawals disappointingly include the sole French challenger Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), whose chance was put paid to by...

As many as six horses from Aidan O'Brien's yard, including dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), will line up in the G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot on July 29. Riding a two-race winning streak after taking Epsom's Blue Riband last month and the Irish equivalent for the Coolmore partners, Auguste Rodin beat stable-mate Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the latter. He will aim to emulate former Coolmore kingpin Galileo (Ire) with a victory in the King George after winning two Derbys. "He's on...

Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who ran a strong second to Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Eclipse S. earlier this month, has emerged from the race in good order and will continue preparing for the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. on July 29, co-trainer John Gosden confirmed on Thursday. The G1 British Champions Fillies And Mares S. winner, who won the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on her seasonal bow, was giving her rival seven pounds on the day. Gosden, who trains with...

Thursday's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. was one for the comeback kids, but not the one most expected as Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}--Aghareed, by Kingmambo) overhauled Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) fair and square up the Sandown hill. As last year's Derby hero loomed large on the front end under Richard Kingscote two out, Jim Crowley was in a pocket on the Shadwell homebred who had over a length to make up as he gave pursuit a furlong later. While the 2-5 favourite Desert Crown put a healthy margin...

If there were one race you could have bet that TDN Rising Star and unbeaten Derby hero of 2022 Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) would make his comeback in it would have been the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. which carries Sir Michael Stoute's stamp more than any other in the British Pattern. One of his record-setting dozen successes in the key Sandown staging post was the yard's penultimate Blue Riband hero Workforce (GB) (King's Best), so with all the stars aligning the stage is set for the return of Saeed...

Last year's G1 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) will make his first start since winning the Blue Riband in Sandown's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. in late May, according to Saeed Suhail's racing manager Bruce Raymond. Successful in a Nottingham maiden at two, the 4-year-old won the G2 Dante S. at York in his first outing at three before rolling to a 2 1/2-length victory at Epsom. An ankle injury derailed any more starts in 2022, and the Brigadier Gerard will be his first start back. Trainer Sir Michael...

Saeed Suhail's G1 Derby victor Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), missing since a minor ankle injury derailed his season after Epsom, is pleasing connections after being returned to light training a few days ago. "Desert Crown is in good shape," said owner Saeeed Suhail's racing manager Bruce Raymond. "He was turned out for a bit at Darley. He was there for about eight weeks and it did him really good. "He came back in around mid-November and I saw him last week. He looks a million dollars--you'd think it was...

The dam of this season's Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) realized 1.9 million guineas from M.V. Magnier at Tuesday's Tattersalls December Mare Sale. Offered as lot 1891, Desert Berry (GB) (Green Desert) was consigned by Strawberry Fields Stud. The 13-year-old mare is also responsible for Hong Kong Group 3 victor Archie McKellar (GB) (aka Flying Thunder). Desert Crown was sold in foal to Nathaniel, meaning she is carrying a full-sibling to Desert Crown.     ⚜️ . # Desert Berry, whose son Desert Crown won this year's Derby,...

Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), sidelined since winning the G1 Cazoo Derby in June, will be kept in training next season as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. "I took the owner to see him last week," said Bruce Raymond, Saeed Suhail's racing manager. "He is turned out daily at Darley [Stud in Newmarket]--I live just across the road. "He goes out for maybe three hours a day and [trainer Sir] Michael [Stoute] came to see him. He said that while the weather is good, let him eat...

Impressive G1 Cazoo Derby hero Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) has suffered a "little niggle" according to trainer Sir Michael Stoute and could miss an intended start in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. on July 23. The Saeed Suhail-owned colt was due to work on Thursday morning, but that plan has been suspended. "He won't be working tomorrow morning," said Stoute. "We just have a little niggle that we are checking out on his foot. "So, we will have more news on Friday or Saturday. It...