RUN AT ROYAL ASCOT

The Kentucky Derby/Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux) was the heavily backed even favorite in the Queen Anne S.-G1 at Royal Ascot but he looked uncomfortablethroughout and was soon outpaced two furlongs from home.

Animal Kingdom’s trainer Graham Motion said after the race, “It took the wind out of our sails. There was a lot of hype about this race but there were many unknowns. He had to start from the middle of the track, which is unusual for us, and he took a while to get cover.

Unfortunately the unknowns caught up with him.” When questioned on his future plans, Motion said, “It was always the plan before [to retire him] but I obviously have not spoken to anyone else yet.”

Animal Kingdom is due to stand at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $38,500 inc GST this season.