Report: California Chrome to miss Royal Ascot

California Chrome's run at England's Royal Ascot meet is a no-go.

The Horse of the Year developed a foot bruise and possible abscess that trainer Art Sherman told RacingPost.com will keep his colt out of Wednesday's Group I Prince of Wales's Stakes.

"It's devastating," Sherman told the website. "We have never had a pimple on this horse all the time we've had him but the abscess popped out and the foot wasn't good. I am so sorry he can't run."

Alan Sherman, assistant trainer to his father, told BloodHorse.com that "we're just soaking, packing, and poulticing it" in hopes of improvement by Tuesday. Then Art Sherman counted out the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner, who wouldn't have been 100 percent by Wednesday.

California Chrome had drawn post No. 6 of 10 for the Prince of Wales. Most overseas race books listed him with odds between 8-1 and 12-1 off a runner-up effort in the Dubai World Cup.

"It's very disappointing for everyone involved," Rae Guest, California Chrome's England-based trainer, told RacingPost.com. "He had been as right as rain up until today and he has worked well both times he has worked, so it was very exciting.

"We were hoping his foot would be better tonight, having poulticed it all day, but he's still sore this evening. It's frustrating, as he could be fine by Thursday."

Foot bruises aren't typically career-threatening, but they require rest to heal. An abscess would mean an infection in the foot and potentially more time off.

Other races targeted for the 4-year-old by majority owner Perry Martin include the Aug. 15 Arlington Million, Oct. 3 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park and Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland. California Chrome is then expected to start his stud career in Kentucky.

Last year's dual-classic winner shipped straight from Dubai to England to prepare for Royal Ascot. The move was controversial among fans -- it took California Chrome out of Sherman's day-to-day care -- but Martin saw breeding value in his champion going up against the world's top grass horses.

Also this year, California Chrome finished second to top older horse Shared Belief in the Feb. 7 San Antonio Invitational, a Grade II at Santa Anita Park. His last victory came in the Grade I Hollywood Derby Nov. 29 on Del Mar's turf.

California Chrome has won nine of 18 career races to compile earnings of $6.3 million. One more high-paying finish will push him past Tiznow's $6.4 million as the top-grossing California-bred horse.