Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have made himself a put on Andrew Balding's Royal Ascot squad after using down odds-on favourite Silver Knott in the Betfred Jockey at Newmarket.


The globetrotting Silver Knott was a well-supported 10-11 shot for his first start in Britain since 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 first time after being well beaten on his Newbury return 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 excellent type from in 2015 and undoubtedly the second is a very excellent horse also.


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


"I think the cheekpieces assisted - I think he was quite strong at the end of the race. It was an outstanding 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 for the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot), I would have believed. He's had a tough adequate 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've constantly got the choice to travel later in the year if we desire to."