Desert Crown out, Emily Upjohn in

THE likely field for next Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot has been shaken up, with the defection of Derby winner Desert Crown and the addition of Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn.

The latter was sensationally withdrawn from today’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Friday afternoon due to travel complications.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly, who would have started at odds-on for today’s race, was declared a non-runner when the plane in which she was due to travel was grounded and an alternative could not be found in time. She will be aimed at next Saturday’s big race at Ascot, where she is likely to face Irish Derby winner Westover.

On Thursday evening Derby winner Desert Crown was ruled out of the King George due to a minor foot injury. The Juddmonte International at York and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe have been mentioned as potential targets for the unbeaten colt trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

Baaeed best in world

BAAEED is officially the world’s best racehorse. The four-year-old son of Sea The Stars has had his rating raised from 125 to 128 following his success in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. His revised rating puts the William Haggas-trained colt 2lb ahead of both American star Flightline and Australian sprinter Nature Strip in the latest edition of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. The highest-rated Irish-trained horses in training are State Of Rest (122) and Homeless Songs (120).

Hong Kong honours for Irish-bred

THE Irish-bred Romantic Warrior won three awards at yesterday’s Hong Kong Jockey Club end-of-season Champion Awards. Bred by David Egan’s Corduff Stud and Tim Rooney, the son of Acclamation was sold as a yearling for 300,000gns to the HKJC. This year he won the Hong Kong Derby and the QEII Cup, emulating the Irish-bred Designs On Rome, who completed the same double in 2014.

Christophe Soumillon Eclipse ban reduced

CHRISTOPHE Soumillon had his suspension for careless riding aboard Coral-Eclipse hero Vadeni reduced from 12 to eight days following an appeal hearing on Thursday morning. After crossing the finish line at Sandown the Belgian-born rider was responsible for interfering with the third-placed Native Trail and the fourth home, Lord North, as he celebrated riding the first French-trained winner of the race since 1960.

David Egan

retainer ends

DAVID Egan is no longer being retained by owner Prince Faisal, who will revert to using the “best available jockey”. Egan, 23, enjoyed a stellar association with Prince Faisal’s Mishriff, winning the Saudi Cup, Dubai Sheema Classic and International at York last year.

Prince Faisal’s racing manager Ted Voute said: “David Egan has not signed his 2022 riding contract, so Prince Faisal has decided to revert to best available jockey.”