Roger Varian 'gutted' over injury to senior star King Of Steel

Roger Varian said he is "gutted" about losing stable star King Of Steel for the core part of the 2024 Flat season after he was found to be lame following work on Tuesday.

The recent 1,000 Guineas-winning trainer was speaking for the first time since the news of the injury to his leading four-year-old emerged on Wednesday morning.

Last year's Group 1 Champion Stakes winner had not long put the finishing touches to his preparation for an intended reappearance in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown next Thursday.

Varian said: "I'm gutted about the injury to King Of Steel. I'm gutted for Amo Racing and all of the staff at Carlburg, but I'm also gutted for the public who were looking forward to seeing him run through the summer."

On an official BHA rating of 122, King Of Steel is the highest-rated horse in training in Newmarket at present, in front of 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech (121) and Inspiral (120). 

The four-year-old was set to appear at Sandown next Thursday as a warm-up for the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot but plans are now up in the air.

Beyond Royal Ascot, he was 4-1 favourite for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Varian added: "These things happen in racing and we've been here before but hopefully he can make a full recovery and come back in the autumn. We'll have to get on with it the best we can but there are people in a lot worse position than us."

King Of Steel nearly caused a massive shock at odds of 66-1 in last year's Derby when edged out by half a length by Auguste Rodin on only his third start. 

King Of Steel and Frankie Dettori win the Champion StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

He trounced subsequent St Leger winner Continuous on his next start in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot before going close when moved into open company in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes.

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 in his final run of the season.

Jockey Raul da 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 on Wednesday morning to begin his rehabilitation elsewhere, which is standard practice for Amo Racing, and the Kia Joorabchian operation confirmed the four-year-old will return to Varian once fit.

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