Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have earned himself a place 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 since finishing 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 final 2 furlongs.


However, 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 - managed 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 high-class horse, he's got some excellent form from in 2015 and certainly the 2nd is a great horse as well.


"I was thrilled, because he 'd been a big disappointment in the John Porter (at Newbury). He absolutely required 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 helped - I believe he was quite strong 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 tough sufficient race there and it would be good to have runners with an opportunity for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.


"We'll try and we have actually always got the choice to take a trip later on in the year if we desire to."