"Highly-touted colt Chancellor faces another setback after a minor injury; future racing plans remain uncertain as connections consider a cautious recovery strategy."
Chancellor, the highly esteemed colt owned by Cheveley Park Stud, has experienced yet another disruption to his racing plans after sustaining a minor injury during a routine stalls test. The offspring of Kingman and Breeders’ Cup champion Queen's Trust had made a strong impression with two victories in his first three starts at Doncaster, but has encountered a series of challenges in recent weeks.
The most recent setback occurred when Chancellor suffered a leg injury after kicking out during a stalls test. This incident follows his unfortunate withdrawal from the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster earlier this month, where he accidentally opened the gate in the starting stalls and cut his mouth, which forced him out of the race at the last moment.
🚨 Chancellor is withdrawn from the Betfred Champagne Stakes #ITVRacing | @DoncasterRaces pic.twitter.com/qgMAklHSDs
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) September 14, 2024
Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson explained the situation, saying, 'They put him through the stalls prior to the test, and he kicked out and managed to cut his leg. It’s nothing serious, but he had to have some treatment.' Although the injury is not severe, it required stitches, and Chancellor’s immediate future is uncertain. 'We’re just having to regroup. It’s frustrating after everything else, but we’ll give him some time to recover,' Richardson added.
Chancellor was under consideration for this weekend's Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket as a possible next step after being withdrawn from the Champagne Stakes. However, he was not confirmed for the Group Two race, leaving his team unsure about their next plan. The colt is entered for the Group One Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on October 26, but there is a chance he may be rested for the rest of the season.
"We might just have to leave it for this year," Richardson said, suggesting a possible break for the colt. "I'll know a little bit more in 10 days or so, but it's just really frustrating, as it came at a very bad time."
Although the injury does not threaten his career, its timing is unfortunate. Chancellor's connections will closely monitor his recovery before making any additional decisions. The team at Cheveley Park is optimistic about his future, given his already demonstrated talent, but they are cautious to ensure he comes back fully fit for future challenges.
