King and Queen's horse Desert Hero ruled out of Melbourne Cup by William Haggas

25 September 2023 , 19:30

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Desert Hero (left) finished third in the Betfred St Leger when last seen (Image: Getty Images)

The King and Queen will have to wait for a Lexus Melbourne Cup runner after Desert Hero was ruled out of the race.

William Haggas' colt passed the veterinary tests to put him on-course for Australia's showpiece event on November 7.

However the royal couple's team, led by racing advisor John Warren, held talks on Sunday evening and decided that it would come too soon after his gallant St Leger effort.

"Desert Hero won't run in the Melbourne Cup. We thought he had a hard race at Doncaster and we want to give him more time," Haggas said.

"He passed the tests we put him through so we had to make a decision. He'll have a nice break now.

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"We wouldn't rule out running him in the race in the future – and we hope his is bright."

In front of his owners, Desert Hero stayed on to take third in the Betfred-backed Classic behind Aidan O'Brien trainee Continuous.

The Doncaster run rounded off a memorable season for the son of 2009 Derby hero Sea The Stars, a poignant Royal Ascot winner for the King after he inherited his mother Queen Elizabeth II's thoroughbreds.

Desert Hero attempted to become the first horse since Dunfermline in 1977 to carry royal silks to victory in a British Classic.

David Yates