Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

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


The Knott was a well-supported 10-11 shot for his first start in Britain since ending up down the field in the 2000 Guineas 2 years ago - and he looked likely to prevail after taking control of the lead from the pacesetting Divina Grace heading towards the final two furlongs.


However, Andrew Balding's 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 resurgence last month - handled to remain on Silver Knott's tail racing out of the dip and ended up the more powerful to score by a length and a half under Oisin Murphy.


Balding stated: "He's a classy horse, he's got some good form from in 2015 and certainly the second is a great horse also.


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


"I believe the cheekpieces assisted - I believe he was pretty strong at the end of the race. It was an excellent 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 await the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot), I would have believed. He's had a hard sufficient race there and it would be nice to have runners with a possibility for King Power (owners) at the Royal conference.


"We'll try and we've always got the option to travel later on in the year if we want to."