Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket

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


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 most likely to prevail after taking control of the lead from the pacesetting Divina Grace heading towards the last 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 comeback last month - handled 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.


Balding said: "He's an elite horse, he's got some excellent type from last year and clearly the second is a great horse as well.


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


"I think the cheekpieces helped - I think 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 for the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot), I would have thought. He's had a tough enough race there and it would be nice to have runners with an opportunity for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.


"We'll provide it a go and we've always got the choice to travel later in the year if we wish to."