Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have earned himself a place on Andrew Balding's Royal Ascot team after wearing down odds-on preferred Silver Knott in the Betfred Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.


The globetrotting Silver Knott was a well-supported 10-11 shot for his first start in Britain given that finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas two years ago - and he looked likely to dominate after taking control of the lead from the pacesetting Divina Grace heading towards the final two furlongs.


However, Bellum Justum (11-2) - a Group Three winner in America in 2015 and fitted with cheekpieces for the very first time after being well beaten on his Newbury return last month - handled to remain on Silver Knott's tail racing out of the dip and ended up the stronger to score by a length and a half under Oisin Murphy.


Balding stated: "He's an elite horse, he's got some good form from in 2015 and clearly the 2nd is a great horse as well.


"I was thrilled, since he 'd been a big disappointment in the John Porter (at Newbury). He certainly needed the run that day and he's taken a big advance today. It's nice to see him back on track.


"I think the cheekpieces assisted - I think he was pretty solid at the end of the race. It was an outstanding efficiency.


Bellum Justum ridden by jockey Oisin Murphy on their way to winning the Betfred Jockey Club Stakes on Guineas Friday of the Betfred Guineas Festival at Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk. Picture date: Friday May 2, 2025.


"We'll wait for the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot), I would have thought. He's had a difficult enough race there and it would be nice to have runners with an opportunity for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.


"We'll provide it a go and we have actually constantly got the choice to take a trip later in the year if we want to."