The King could be left wondering what might have been if a horse bred at his own stud wins one of the world’s most prestigious horse races after being sold to Australia for a reported multi-million-pound sum.
Point Of Law, bred by King Charles before being sold to Australian interests earlier this year, is among the leading contenders for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
The four-year-old has made a remarkable impression since arriving in Australia and is now joint-favourite in the betting at 7/1.
Victory would deliver a huge return for his new owners – but it could also leave The King watching a horse he once owned claim one of racing’s greatest prizes.
Point Of Law’s sale was reportedly the result of months of negotiations, with Australian trainer Ciaron Maher and bloodstock expert Will Bourne determined to secure the promising British-bred stayer.
According to reports in Australia, two bloodstock experts estimated that the final price was well in excess of £3 million.
The exact figure has not been publicly confirmed, but the negotiations were clearly substantial.
Maher’s clients were so keen to acquire the horse that they even explored the possibility of allowing The King to retain a share in him.
However, His Majesty was unable to accept the arrangement, with the King’s position understood to be that he could not race a horse alongside other owners.
The deal eventually went ahead, leaving Point Of Law to begin a new chapter of his racing career on the other side of the world.
Point Of Law was bred by The King and was seen in action at Royal Ascot in June, where he attracted attention as a promising young stayer.
His subsequent move to Australia has proved an inspired acquisition for his new connections.
He announced himself as a serious Melbourne Cup contender with an impressive victory in the Geelong Cup a fortnight ago, overcoming an earlier setback during trackwork to run his rivals ragged.
That performance propelled him towards the head of the betting for the famous two-mile contest.
The King is now potentially facing an unusual dilemma: watching a horse bred under his ownership compete for one of the biggest prizes in international racing, knowing that he will not share in any success.
Point Of Law will be among seven horses prepared by Maher for the Melbourne Cup, a record number for the trainer.
His connections include former Australian rules football star Chris Judd, while part-owner Rupert Legh praised the work that went into securing the horse.
The syndicate had considered several other European prospects before Point Of Law became available, with previous candidates failing veterinary examinations.
Legh said the horse had arrived in Australia in excellent condition, crediting The King with sending him over in terrific shape.
There are, however, questions surrounding his relative lack of experience.
Point Of Law is set to contest the Melbourne Cup after just five previous starts, making him one of the least experienced runners in the field.
Since 1993, only Tiger Moth had contested the race with fewer starts, finishing second in 2020.
The Melbourne Cup carries a prize fund of A$10 million and is one of the biggest events in the international racing calendar.
For Point Of Law’s new owners, victory would make their substantial investment look exceptionally shrewd.
For The King, however, it could be a rather different story.
His Majesty is a lifelong racing enthusiast and has continued the Royal Family’s longstanding association with thoroughbred breeding and ownership.
If Point Of Law crosses the finish line first at Flemington, he will have demonstrated the quality of the horse The King once had in his own stable.
