Laurel ruled out for the remainder of the season

The high-class filly Laurel has been forced to miss the remainder of the season due to an injury she sustained during her build-up for Royal Ascot.

John Gosden.
John Gosden. Picture: PA

Laurel created a big impression when winning at Kempton before finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on just her third outing. The daughter of Kingman returned to the track in April with a comfortable Listed success at Kempton and was sent off as short as 100/30 when disappointing in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury back in May.

The Juddmonte-owned filly looked set to feature in the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal Meeting but was ruled out late on having suffered a setback just days before her intended target.

It seemed connections were hopeful of a quick return in this week's Falmouth Stakes on the July Course but following further review the issue appears to be more serious than first thought.

Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte said: "Unfortunately, she is going to miss the rest of the season,"

"Initially it looked like it was going to be an insignificant thing, but it turned out to be a bit more than we thought.

"She's on her way back to the farm for a rest, she definitely won't run again this season and it is to be decided whether she stays in training next year or not.

"She's a very lightly-raced filly and John and Thady both said to me last week they would love to keep her in training next year.

"She's a high-class filly who could win a Group 1 and she's only run five times in her life so I can sort of understand their point and maybe that is the right thing to do. But we will speak with Prince Khalid's family and see what they would like to do and unfortunately, she won't be running again this season."


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