King and Queen sell St Leger hopeful Point Of Law to Australian trainer Ciaron Maher

King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s promising stayer Point Of Law has been sold to Australian trainer Ciaron Maher, bringing an end to his time in Britain as he prepares for an autumn campaign Down Under.

Maher, who was a guest of Their Majesties at Royal Ascot, has purchased the three-year-old with ambitions of targeting major races in Australia, including the Group 1 Caulfield Cup at Flemington on October 17.

Point Of Law has won two of his four starts for John and Thady Gosden and has shown plenty of promise over staying distances. He finished fourth behind Limestone in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot before securing a notable victory in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, beating Galiyan by half a length.

The colt had been priced at a best-priced 14-1 for the St Leger at Doncaster on September 12, with Derby winner Christmas Day the 7-2 favourite. Maltese Cross, who is set to contest the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York next week, was a 4-1 chance.

Point Of Law’s sale means the King and Queen will not have a runner in the St Leger, where they had been hoping to see their promising youngster compete.

The last royal winner of the Classic was Queen Elizabeth II’s Dunfermline, who defeated the colts in 1977 under jockey Willie Carson.

The King’s racing adviser John Warren said: “I’m sure Their Majesties will derive great pleasure following Point of Law’s continued career in Australia.

“Like all owner-breeders, the majority of their colts eventually get sold on and the King and Queen will be wishing Ciaron Maher and the new owners the best of luck for an exciting future.”

Maher has previously taken on one of the royal horses after inheriting Gilded Water from William Haggas last July. The gelding subsequently finished placed in Group 3 races at Flemington and Geelong in October.

Point Of Law has a standout pedigree, being sired by Frankel out of a mare by Japanese superstar Deep Impact, and will now be transferred to Harry Eustace’s yard to prepare for his move to Australia.

The colt’s next chapter could therefore see him compete on some of Australia’s biggest stages, with the Caulfield Cup among the key targets for his new connections.