Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have made himself a put on Royal Ascot team after wearing 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 finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas two years ago - and he looked likely to prevail after taking over the lead from the pacesetting Divina Grace heading towards the final 2 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 return last month - managed to remain on Silver Knott's tail racing out of the dip and ended up the stronger 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 last year and certainly the second is a really good horse also.


"I was delighted, since he 'd been a huge frustration in the John Porter (at Newbury). He certainly required the run that day and he's taken a huge advance today. It's good to see him back on track.


"I believe the cheekpieces assisted - I think he was pretty strong at the end of the race. It was an outstanding 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 difficult enough race there and it would be great to have runners with an opportunity for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.


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