Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have made himself a put on Andrew Balding's Royal Ascot team after using down odds-on favourite Silver Knott in the Betfred Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.


The globetrotting Silver Knott was a 10-11 shot for his very first start in Britain considering that completing down the field in the 2000 Guineas two years ago - and he looked likely to prevail after taking control of the lead from the pacesetting Divina Grace heading towards the last two furlongs.


However, Andrew Balding's Bellum Justum (11-2) - a Group Three winner in America last year 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 finished the stronger to score by a length and a half under Oisin Murphy.


Balding stated: "He's an elite horse, he's got some excellent type from last year and undoubtedly the 2nd is an excellent horse too.


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


"I believe the cheekpieces assisted - I believe 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 on the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot), I would have believed. He's had a difficult adequate race there and it would be great to have runners with an opportunity for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.


"We'll provide it a go and we've constantly got the option to travel later in the year if we desire to."