Desert Hero

For the American film, see A Desert Hero.

Desert Hero is a British racehorse. He is owned by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. He was born in 2020 and was bred by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2023, he won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.^[1]

Desert Hero
Sire	Sea the Stars
Grandsire	Cape Cross
Dam	Desert Breeze
Damsire	Dubawi
Sex	Colt
Foaled	29 January 2020
Country	Great Britain
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Queen Elizabeth II
Owner	King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Racing colours
Trainer	William Haggas
Record	7:4-0-2
Earnings	£261,083
Major wins
King George V Stakes (2023) Gordon Stakes (2023)

Career

Desert Hero was foaled on 29 January 2020.^[2] He was bred by Queen Elizabeth II as part of her breeding programmes.^[3] His sire was the former Epsom Derby winner Sea the Stars.^[4] He was formerly owned by the Queen until her death in 2022, when he was inherited by King Charles III.^[5]

Desert Hero started racing in 2022, winning his debut race at the Novice Stakes at Haydock Park Racecourse.^[6] He also won the Novice Stakes at Redcar Racecourse.^[4] in his first race of 2023, Desert Hero finished outside of the top 5.^[7] His next race came at Royal Ascot whereby his trainer William Haggas had aimed for at least one of the King's horses to win as the King was attending all five days.^[7] Being ridden by Tom Marquand and starting in stall 21, Desert Hero won the King George V Stakes, giving King Charles his first Royal Ascot winner since becoming king.^[7] Marquand's ride in this race won him the 2023 Lester Award for Flat Ride of the Year.^[8] Desert Hero followed this up with a win in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.^[9]

Desert Hero later raced in the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse, being watched by King Charles and Queen Camilla but only finished third.^[10] There were plans for Desert Hero to race in the Melbourne Cup and he had received first acceptance and Racing Victoria's pre-quarantine tests,^[11] but it was decided not to enter him in order to rest him after the St Leger Stakes race as well as to allow him to mature more.^[12]

References

1. "Desert Hero". Racing Post. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
2. "Desert Hero". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
3. "Desert Hero highlights late Queen Elizabeth's breeding programme". Throughbred News. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
4. "Derby-winner's son is fit for a king at Redcar". The Northern Echo. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
5. Yates, David; Jones, Melissa (25 September 2023). "King and Queen's horse Desert Hero ruled out of Melbourne Cup by William Haggas". The Mirror. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
6. "Desert Hero earns Derby quotes with victory at Haydock". At The Races. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
7. "Haggas delighted to have saddled a royal hero at Ascot". At The Races. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
8. Huggins, Charlie (22 December 2023). "William Buick crowned Flat Jockey of the Year for third successive year at the Lesters". Racing Post. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
9. "Royal hopes for St Leger rise as Desert Hero takes John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes". ITV. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
10. "Continuous wins St Leger as King's horse comes third". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
11. "King's horse ruled out of Melbourne Cup". News.com.au. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
12. "No Royal Runner In The Melbourne Cup, As Desert Hero Ruled Out". Thoroughbred Daily News. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.