Derby hero Desert Crown dies aged four after serious injury

THE 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown has sadly died after failing to recover from a serious injury he suffered in August.

The four-year-old was put to sleep at Newmarket Equine Hospital on Monday afternoon despite the efforts of some of the countries best vets.

Derby winner Desert Crown has sadly died at the age of fourREUTERS

He fractured a bone in his lower leg during a piece of routine exercise on the gallops while preparing for the Juddmonte International at York.

He underwent emergency surgery and had 16 screws inserted into his fetlock – which is a joint just above the hoof.

He has been under supervision and undergoing treatment ever since, but his injuries were deemed too severe and the decision was made to humanely euthanise him.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saaed Suhail told the Racing Post: “Desert Crown was a great horse and was destined to be one of the best if he hadn’t have had this injury.

“He was one of the easiest winners of the Derby that I can remember and it’s a great shame that we’ve lost him.

“As has been well recorded he fractured his off-fore leg for which he has to have 16 screws inserted.

“Everything seemed to be going well but he put so much pressure on his near fore when he stood on it that it was unsustainable.

“He was put down humanely at NEH where the surgeons have been outstanding.”

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt only raced four times, winning three of his starts and banking £1,031,201 in prize-money.

After he won the Derby impressively at Epsom in June last year, he missed several potential targets after picking up niggling injuries.

He suffered defeat when second to Hukum on his return to action at Sandown in May and was then forced to miss both the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and King George after setbacks in his training.

But the final injury he suffered two months ago proved fatal, and his loss will be felt deeply by everyone at the Stoute stable.