Roger Varian has suffered a massive blow to his plans for 2024 after stable star King of Steel was found to be lame after working May 14 and will miss his big summer targets.
Last year's Champion Stakes (G1) winner had not long put the finishing touches to his preparation for an intended reappearance in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) at Sandown May 23.
The Amo Racing-owned star was set to use that contest as a warm-up for the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot but now plans are up in the air.
Beyond Royal Ascot, he was 4-1 favorite for the Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown.
Amo Racing's representative Amy Drummond said: "King of Steel is lame and won't be running next week, beyond which we have no plans."
A post on X from Amo said: "King of Steel has sustained an injury during his routine exercise on Tuesday morning in Newmarket.
"We are happy to report that he is fine and his usual bubbly self, but sadly he will miss his planned seasonal debut at Sandown and Royal Ascot.
"As you can imagine, this is a very disappointing day for all of King of Steel's supporters and all the people who have put their heart and soul into this horse."
King of Steel nearly caused a massive shock at odds of 66-1 in last year's Derby (G1) when edged out by half a length by Auguste Rodin on only his third start.
He trounced subsequent 2023 St Leger Stakes (G1) winner Continuous on his next start in the King Edward VII Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot before going close when moved into open company in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and the Irish Champion Stakes (G1).
Frankie Dettori earned the ride when King of Steel finally added a group 1 to his CV on Champions Day, but the duo could not repeat those heroics when finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park in his final run of the season.
Jockey Raul de Silva, who rode out King of Steel every day, said "his heart is broken" by the news of the colt's injury.
He added: "He worked well on Tuesday and walked back fine. I went to see him later and he was fine, but in the evening I got a call saying he was lame. I went to see him this morning."
King of Steel left Carlburg Stables the morning of May 15 to begin his rehabilitation elsewhere, which is standard practice for Amo Racing, and the Kia Joorabchian operation confirmed the 4-year-old remains with Varian.
