Dar Re Mi pulled out of King George

12/1 shot Dar Re Mi will not feature in the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot meaning only six runners will feature.

John Gosden’s mare, a three-time Group One winner, has been declared a non-runner due to a bruised foot. The news will disappoint race-goers who were looking forward to the battle between Dar Re Mi and Epsom Derby winner Workforce (Workforce evens favourite with bet365).

It will also be a bitter blow to owners Lord and Lady Webber but the party is now focused on securing success in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks.

Speaking about the withdrawal, Gosden’s racing secretary Peter Shoemark said: “She has bruised her foot and unfortunately that means she will be unable to run.

“It’s just unfortunate that it has come so close to the race but she will be absolutely fine.

“It’s not ideal but we’ll look forward now and the Yorkshire Oaks could be her next objective.”

The plan had been to battle it out with Workforce in the prestigious 12-furlong race. It will be Workforce’s first outing since winning the Derby in record time and the colt, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is aiming to become the first three-year-old to win the King George since Alamshar in 2003. He is also hoping to become the first Derby winner to win the race since Galileo in 2001.

Hopes are high in the Workforce camp, with owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, saying that preparations for the race have gone smoothly and with no interruptions.

Promising an exciting day, the seven-length romp to victory at the Derby is giving the Workforce camp significant confidence on the colt’s success in the King George.

Harbinger is 5/2 second favourite for the race, with Cape Blanco an 11/2 shot.