Desert Hero Prepares for Royal Ascot Triumph and Potential Melbourne Cup Challenge

Primed for Royal Ascot Glory: Desert Hero Eyeing Encore After Triumph

Desert Hero, the horse who generated immense interest last season with his Royal Ascot win and St Leger third for King Charles and Queen Camilla, is being prepared for another Royal Ascot challenge in June. The William Haggas-trained son of Sea The Stars has been gelded over the winter, allowing him to carry the royal colours in a potential globetrotting career rather than be considered for stud duties.

Haggas commented, “The King is looking to run him for a while, and he should be a very handy horse for them. We took a long-term view and gelded him, and I think it has done him good. He was never really flush last year, but he has matured a lot. He seems to be a strong horse.” The trainer revealed that the first half of the season will be geared towards the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, with a run or two beforehand.

After Desert Hero’s impressive performance in the St Leger, there were discussions about a potential Melbourne Cup challenge, and Haggas confirmed that a run in Australia is still likely. “It is very possible Desert Hero will go to Australia at some stage. Whether that is Melbourne in autumn or Sydney at this time next year, I don’t know. We have a ‘have horse, will travel’ attitude,” the trainer added.

Haggas is also looking forward to the arrival of a two-year-old sister to Desert Hero by Fastnet Rock in his Newmarket stable. The trainer said, “She is a big filly in pre-training. She is coming, but is not here yet.”

Unbeaten City of Troy Eyeing US Dirt Races

In other news, Unbeaten City of Troy, trained by Aidan O’Brien, could take on the US dirt races after attempting to win the 2,000 Guineas and Derby. Paddy Power has installed the brilliant Dewhurst Stakes winner as the 4-6 favorite for the 2,000 Guineas and the 7-4 favorite for the Derby. With his sire being US Triple Crown winner Justify, the door is open for potential forays across the Atlantic should he continue his winning ways.

As the new flat racing season approaches, the Ascot Racecourse calendar is shaping up to be an exciting one, with the Royal Ascot meeting once again at the forefront of the action.

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