Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

Bellum Justum appears to have earned himself a place on Andrew Balding's Royal Ascot squad after wearing 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 2 years ago - and he looked most likely to dominate after taking control of 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 resurgence 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 good kind from last year and obviously the 2nd is a great horse too.


"I was thrilled, because he 'd been a huge frustration in the John Porter (at Newbury). He absolutely the run that day and he's taken a big step forward today. It's great to see him back on track.


"I think the cheekpieces assisted - I believe he was pretty strong at the end of the race. It was an exceptional 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 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 try and we have actually always got the alternative to travel later in the year if we want to."