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 well-supported 10-11 shot for his very first start in Britain since ending up down the field in the 2000 Guineas two years ago - and he looked likely to dominate after taking over 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 return last month - managed to remain on Silver Knott's tail racing out of the dip and completed the more powerful to score by a length and a half under Oisin Murphy.


stated: "He's a high-class horse, he's got some good type from last year and undoubtedly the second is an excellent horse too.


"I was pleased, since he 'd been a huge dissatisfaction in the John Porter (at Newbury). He definitely needed the run that day and he's taken a big action forward today. It's great to see him back on track.


"I believe the cheekpieces helped - 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 on the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot), I would have believed. He's had a tough 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 have actually always got the alternative to take a trip later on in the year if we want to."