Bellum Justum Sealed Balding Hat-trick on Day 1 Guineas Festival
- Turf GMD
- May 2
- 1 min read
The prestigious British 2000 Guineas Festival began with a day of significant and fiercely contested races. The highlight was the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (1 ½ miles), where Charlie Appleby's in-form stable struck again. #2 BELLUM JUSTUM (Oisin Murphy), already a US winner, surged late to overcome #3 SILVER KNOTT (William Buick). A worrying trend continues for Godolphin/Appleby, with strong contenders repeatedly weakening in the final straight when victory seemed within reach. Appleby has RULING COURT, SHADOW OF LIGHT in the 2000 Guineas and DESERT FLOWER in the 1000 Guineas. Together with BELLUM JUSTUM, ZGHATRA and MISS INFORMATION completed a hat-trick for trainer Andrew Balding, and jockey Oisin Murphy finished with a double.
Bellum Justum denied Godophin in Jockey Club Stakes (GII)
(Race replay: Racing TV)
Earlier, Godolphin's #1 ALPINE TRAIL (William Buick) maintained his unblemished record, winning the Listed Newmarket Stakes (2012m, 10 furlongs) to remain 3-for-3. In the Listed King Charles II Stakes (1408m, 7 furlongs), a shrewd tactical move by Harry Charlton saw #4 COSMIC YEAR (Ryan Moore, by KINGMAN), initially entered in the 2000 Guineas, triumph over the 16/1 #7 MARVELMAN (Oisin Murphy) by 1 1/2 lengths. The unbeaten COSMIC YEAR is now potentially aimed at the Irish 2000 Guineas, followed by the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, said Charlton after the race. Juddmonte, the owner of Cosmic Year, also has FIELD OF GOLD as the current favourite for tomorrow's Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes.
Alpine Trail remains unbeaten
(Race replay: Racing TV)
Cosmic Year's stylish victory in the Listed King Charles II Stakes
(Race replay: Racing TV)
(2/5/2025)
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