The Lion In Winter has died after sustaining a fracture in a routine gallop at Ballydoyle.

The four-year-old colt, who finished fifth in the Lockinge last month, was due to run in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.

However, trainer Aidan O’Brien confirmed the Sea The Stars-colt had injured himself in a gallop at home with vets unable to save him.

“Sadly The Lion In Winter suffered a fracture on the gallops and had to be put down,” the Ballydoyle trainer told The Sun.

After winning both his starts at two – including the Group 3 Acomb Stakes which saw him promoted to Derby favouritism – he was sent off odds on for the Dante only to finish sixth behind Pride Of Arras.

The Lion In Winter finished 14th at Epsom behind stablemate Lambourn but was placed in the Prix Jean Prat, Prix du Moulin, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Mile last season.