Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have actually made himself a 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 very first start in Britain because ending up 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 last 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 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 a high-class horse, he's got some good form from last year and undoubtedly the 2nd is a great horse too.


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


"I think the cheekpieces assisted - I believe he was quite solid at the end of the race. It was an exceptional performance.


Bellum Justum ridden by jockey Oisin Murphy on their method 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 thought. He's had a hard sufficient race there and it would be good to have runners with a possibility for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.


"We'll give it a go and we have actually constantly got the option to take a trip later on in the year if we wish to."