SNOW FAIRY, who was being lined up for a tilt at the US$5m Sheema Classic in Dubai on Saturday, has suffered "a minor leg injury" and will miss the race.
Ed Dunlop, who was preparing to fly out today (Sun), said "It is a great shame, but the good thing is that the injury is not considered significant and is not career threatening. The vets have told us that it would be safe to travel, so Snow Fairy will fly home soon and she will then have two weeks box rest before we start all over again. She could well be back for Royal Ascot (Prince of Wales's Stakes)."
Snow Fairy, our dual Oaks winner, has proved a globe-trotting superstar in the autumn, winning valuable Group 1 races in Japan and Hong Kong and Ed, having opted to stay on the turf rather than going into the unknown in trying the tapeta surface in the World Cup, had really been looking forward to Dubai.
He added "It is disappointing for everyone, especially the owner and coming so close to the race we have no option but to withdraw the filly. She pulled out to exercise this morning and was found to be slightly lame on her right fore. The vets did extensive tests and found minor bone damage on the right cannonbone and while not a serious injury, it has obviously come at the wrong time for her to be able to run in Dubai."