A top contender for Royal Ascot was forced to withdraw from her final preparation race after an unexpected injury during training. Lady Of Camelot, trained in Australia by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, has amassed nearly £3 million in earnings as a renowned sprinter, notably winning the 2024 Golden Slipper.
The decision to compete at Royal Ascot had been made months earlier, with Lady Of Camelot slated to participate in the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, where she was respectively rated at 8-1 and 10-1. Her last race before heading to the UK was scheduled to be the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane, Queensland.
Unfortunately, a routine exercise session on the beach ended in an unexpected turn of events, leading to her exclusion from both the upcoming race and Royal Ascot. Local stewards reported that Lady Of Camelot sustained near foreleg injuries from a stingray encounter during a morning swim, prompting immediate veterinary care.
A statement issued by owner Go Bloodstock Australia on Instagram confirmed the incident and her subsequent transfer to a specialized veterinary facility for close monitoring. Consequently, her participation in the Brisbane Winter Carnival and international campaigns was abruptly terminated.
Expressing deep disappointment, a team spokesperson emphasized the priority of Lady Of Camelot’s health and well-being during her recovery. Regrettably, she was not the only Australian-trained sprinter to be ruled out of Royal Ascot entries, as Chris Waller also announced the withdrawal of Generosity.
Despite these setbacks, Waller remains represented by Joliestar, while trainer Bjorn Baker is poised for his royal meeting debut with Overpass. Additionally, Asfoora, trained by Henry Dwyer and previous King Charles winner, is among the contenders for the upcoming event.