Top Royal Ascot horse hospitalised after being stung by stingray in freak accident
The freak accident has disrupted Ascot plans.
A horse that was expected to race at Royal Ascot later this year has suffered a freak accident after being stung by a stingray. Lady of Camelot was a contender for the festival and was entered into both the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The horse was previously trained in Australia by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and won the 2024 Golden Slipper. Lady of Camelot's owners, Go Bloodstock, planned to bring her over to the UK for the flat season, but before that, she had been entered into the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane this weekend.
Those plans have had to be put on hold though, as Lady of Camelot was stung by a stingray while training on a beach in Brisbane. What's more, it's put the horse's place at Ascot in jeopardy, with the mare having been transferred to a specialist vet hospital following the bizarre accident.
Doomben representatives said: “Co-trainer A. Bott has advised that LADY OF CAMELOT sustained wounds to the near foreleg, caused by a stingray during a beach swim this morning. The Mare was treated by the stable veterinarian. Further updates to be provided.”
Meanwhile, a statement posted to Instagram by Go Bloodstock read: "The homebred filly was involved in a freak incident earlier today where she was stung by a stingray. She has been transported to a specialist veterinary hospital where she remains under close observation.
“While the immediate focus is on her recovery and well-being, the decision has been made to end her Brisbane Winter Carnival and international campaigns effective immediately. A decision regarding her future will be made in due course. Given her elite pedigree and Group 1 success, she remains a highly valuable prospect.”
Whereas a Go Bloodstock spokesperson explained: “This is a deeply disappointing turn of events for the entire team. Lady Of Camelot is a horse of immense talent and heart. Our primary concern is her health and ensuring she receives the best possible care during this period.”
The upcoming Doomben 10,000 - Brisbane's premier sprint race - is worth a stunning £800,000 ($1.5million), but reports from Racenet claim Lady of Camelot could be ruled out for the foreseeable future. Lady of Camelot is one of Australia's most consistent short-distance runners and has won over £3m in prize money.
