US star California Chrome set for Royal Ascot bid

California Chrome heads to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes . Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

US star California Chrome will make a 4,510-mile trip to the UK in a bid to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Last year’s American Horse of the Year, who will be based at Rae Guest’s yard in Newmarket, will fly over from Dubai after finishing second to Prince Bishop in the Dubai World Cup at the weekend to adapt to his new surroundings.

Winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes last season in the US, California Chrome could now look to win two QIPCO British Champions Series contests before travelling back to the States.

The Art Sherman-trained globetrotter’s connections are understandably excited about the prospect of bringing the star to the UK.

Majority owner Perry Martin told the Racing Post: "We are grateful for the opportunity to race at Royal Ascot and are hopeful that California Chrome can put up a good show. We are looking forward to the experience."

Nicky Smith, Ascot’s head of communications and international racing, said: “We’re obviously thrilled that this is coming to fruition.

“I first met Art (Sherman) at the Breeders’ Cup last year and then again at Los Alamitos in February and it was a great pleasure to meet the owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn in Dubai to discuss details.

"To have another Kentucky Derby winner at Royal Ascot is exciting and he could spearhead a strong international presence for the week."