A prominent contender for Royal Ascot experienced an unexpected injury while training for her upcoming race.
Lady Of Camelot, a sprinter trained in Australia by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, has achieved notable success, including a triumph in the 2024 Golden Slipper, accumulating almost £3 million in earnings.
Initially scheduled to compete in the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot, Lady Of Camelot’s final preparation race was set to be the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane before heading to the UK.
Unfortunately, a routine beach exercise session ended abruptly as Lady Of Camelot sustained wounds to her near foreleg from a stingray encounter. This incident led to her withdrawal from both the upcoming race and the Royal Ascot event.
The local stewards confirmed that Lady Of Camelot was injured during a beach swim, prompting her stable veterinarian to provide immediate treatment for her injuries. The owner, Go Bloodstock Australia, released a statement on Instagram, explaining the situation and confirming her transfer to a specialist veterinary hospital for observation.
Due to the unforeseen circumstances, Lady Of Camelot’s participation in the Brisbane Winter Carnival and international campaigns has been terminated to prioritize her recovery and well-being.
A spokesperson expressed disappointment over the turn of events, emphasizing Lady Of Camelot’s exceptional abilities and the team’s dedication to her care. Additionally, another Australian-trained sprinter, Generosity, was also ruled out from the Royal Ascot entries.
Despite these setbacks, other contenders like Joliestar, Overpass, and Asfoora are still set to represent their trainers at the prestigious event, ensuring an exciting competition.