Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have actually earned himself a put on Andrew Balding's Royal Ascot team after using 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 considering that finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas two years ago - and he looked most likely to dominate after taking over 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 comeback last month - handled to remain on Silver Knott's tail racing out of the dip and completed the stronger to score by a length and a half under Oisin Murphy.


Balding stated: "He's a high-class horse, he's got some good form from last year and certainly the second is a great horse as well.


"I was delighted, due to the fact that he 'd been a huge disappointment in the John Porter (at Newbury). He definitely needed the run that day and he's taken a huge advance today. It's great to see him back on track.


"I believe the cheekpieces assisted - I believe he was quite solid at the end of the race. It was an exceptional 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 believed. He's had a tough adequate race there and it would be good to have runners with a possibility for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.


"We'll provide it a go and we have actually always got the alternative to travel later in the year if we wish to."