Wesley Ward announced Tuesday that Outfielder will miss his scheduled appearance in the GII Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot due to a minor shin issue discovered after a morning workout at Keeneland.
The Speightstown colt, designated a “TDN Rising Star,” had been considered one of Ward’s most promising Royal Ascot prospects in years.
“It is very disappointing,” Ward said. “With any horse, let alone one with this quality, you don’t want to have any issues going into the race. This is just a minor problem and we’re still hoping to have a great year with him. I’m still very excited about his future.”
The setback means Ward — who has collected 12 Royal Ascot victories throughout his career — will not have any runners at this year’s prestigious meeting scheduled for June 19.
Outfielder made a spectacular racing debut at Churchill Downs, winning by 6 1/4 lengths while covering five furlongs on turf in :55.93 seconds. The performance generated significant buzz among racing insiders, with some suggesting the two-year-old might be the most talented horse Ward has ever targeted toward the Royal meeting.
“He moves like a cat,” Ward noted after the debut victory. “Usually, big horses like him are kind of lumbery and they don’t have the agility that this guy does.”
Despite the Ascot setback, connections remain hopeful that Outfielder can recover in time for the GI Prix Morny at Deauville, France on August 24. Ward has previously captured that prestigious juvenile contest three times with No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy), and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).
The Kentucky-based trainer has established himself as America’s most successful conditioner at Royal Ascot, making this year’s absence particularly notable for the international racing community.
