- The Lion In Winter dies in training accident at Ballydoyle
- Former Derby fancy was preparing for Royal Ascot
- The Lion In Winter won just over £600,000 in total prize money
The Lion In Winter has been euthanised after suffering a fracture on the Ballydoyle gallops, ruling Aidan O’Brien’s former Derby favourite out of next week’s Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The four-year-old, a son of Derby winner Sea The Stars, sustained the fatal injury while preparing for Tuesday’s Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Despite every effort, he could not be saved and was subsequently put down.
The news marks a significant loss both from a welfare perspective and for the Royal Ascot meeting, with The Lion In Winter having remained among the leading contenders for one of the week’s flagship races.
Speaking about the accident, O’Brien said: “He got a fracture and, unfortunately, we just weren’t able to save him. He was obviously a very good two-year-old and it’s a pity he never really got to fulfil that early potential. On his day he was very talented.”
It is a sad conclusion to the career of a horse who carried huge expectations from an early stage and was still being aimed at one of the most prestigious mile races of the British Flat season.
The Lion In Winter Career In Numbers
- Age: 4
- Runs: 12
- Wins: 3
- Group Wins: 1 (Acomb Stakes, G3)
- Prize Money: £648,745
WATCH: The Lion In Winter Winning The 2024 Acomb Stakes At York
Royal Ascot Queen Anne Field Changes Shape
The immediate impact on the racing picture is clear. The Queen Anne Stakes opens Royal Ascot on Tuesday, 16 June, and the race had already been shaping up into a highly competitive contest for older milers.
Ten horses were confirmed on Wednesday, including Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech, last season’s Breeders’ Cup Mile winner, and stablemate Opera Ballo.
Both are owned by Godolphin, who have won the Queen Anne a record eight times.
Defending champion Docklands is also back to defend his crown, while Lockinge Stakes runner-up More Thunder joins Zeus Olympios, Damysus, Cicero’s Gift, Ten Bob Tony, First Conquest and Expanded among the confirmed runners.
The death of The Lion In Winter leaves Expanded as Ballydoyle’s sole remaining representative in the Group 1 mile contest.
A Career Of High Points And Near Misses
The Lion In Winter made his name quickly.
Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, he announced himself as one of the most exciting horses of his generation when landing the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York. That performance propelled him towards the head of the betting for the following season’s Derby.
Although his three-year-old campaign did not produce the Classic success many anticipated, he continued to perform with distinction at the highest level.
His notable efforts included finishing third in the Prix Jean Prat, third in the Prix du Moulin, second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and third in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
This season, he returned with victory in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown in mid-April before finishing fifth in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, once again behind Notable Speech.
WATCH: The Lion In Winter Finishing Third In The Breeders’ Cup Mile 2025
The Lion In Winter Career Profile
The Lion In Winter emerged as one of the most talked-about horses of his generation after bursting onto the scene for trainer Aidan O’Brien and the powerful Coolmore ownership team.
A son of former Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars, the colt made an immediate impression as a two-year-old in 2024, winning on debut at the Curragh before producing a standout performance in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York.
That victory, achieved in record-breaking fashion, instantly propelled him into the conversation as a leading Classic contender and one of Ballydoyle’s brightest prospects.
Following his unbeaten juvenile campaign, The Lion In Winter spent much of the winter at the head of the betting for the 2025 Epsom Derby.
Although his Classic season did not quite deliver the fairytale many expected, he continued to compete at the highest level against some of the best horses in Europe.
His finest performances included finishing second in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and placing third in both the Prix du Moulin and the Breeders’ Cup Mile, proving his quality on the international stage.
Acomb Win Was A Career Highlight
Among his biggest victories were his maiden success at the Curragh and his memorable Acomb Stakes triumph at York, a race that showcased his exceptional turn of foot and established him as one of the leading juveniles of his crop.
He later added another victory to his record as an older horse at Leopardstown, demonstrating the talent that had made him such a highly regarded performer throughout his career.
The Lion In Winter retired with three wins from 12 career starts and earnings of just under £650,000.
While he ultimately fell short of winning a Classic, he remained a consistent performer at Group 1 level and earned a reputation as a tough, versatile racehorse capable of holding his own against elite competition.
His career was sadly cut short in June 2026 following a training accident at Ballydoyle, bringing an end to the story of a horse who carried huge expectations and produced many memorable performances along the way.
