Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have actually made himself a location 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 first start in Britain because ending up 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 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 - managed to remain on Silver Knott's tail racing out of the dip and completed the stronger to score by a length and a half under Oisin Murphy.


Balding said: "He's a classy horse, he's got some good kind from in 2015 and obviously the 2nd is a very good horse also.


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


"I think the cheekpieces helped - I believe he was quite strong at the end of the race. It was an excellent performance.


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 thought. He's had a hard enough race there and it would be nice to have runners with an opportunity for King Power (owners) at the Royal conference.


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