Tag Archive for: Nostrum

Nostrum set to bypass Haydock in favour of Newbury run

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Nostrum is set to sidestep the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile at Haydock on Saturday in favour of a trip to Newbury next week.

Following a hugely promising start to his career which included Group Three and Listed wins, plus third place in the Dewhurst, Sir Michael Stoute’s four-year-old rounded off 2023 with successive odds-on defeats and finished last of six on his return in Sandown’s bet365 Mile.

However, a subsequent gelding operation appeared to have the desired effect, with the son of Kingman performing far better on his most recent outing when finishing a close second to Noble Dynasty in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket in July.

Owners Juddmonte are hoping he will continue his resurgence in the second half of the season, but are planning to instead rely on Andrew Balding’s filly Clove Hitch on Merseyside this weekend, with Nostrum bound for the Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury on September 20.

“Clove Hitch is going to run at Haydock and Nostrum is going to wait for a Listed race at Newbury,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon.

“Ryan Moore actually sat on Nostrum this morning and thought he felt great, so he’s ready to come back.”

Clove Hitch will head to Haydock on something of a retrieval mission following a slightly disappointing effort in the Coral Distaff at Sandown last time out.

Andrew Balding trains Clove Hitch
Andrew Balding trains Clove Hitch (Zac Goodwin/PA)

However, she was not beaten far when third behind the top-class Economics at Newbury earlier in the season and could hardly have been more impressive when scoring by eight lengths at the Berkshire circuit on her penultimate outing

Mahon added: “Clove Hitch is going to take her chance at Haydock. She obviously looked impressive winning her maiden and on soft ground in Sandown the last day, she actually came out of it very sore. Ryan felt she was coming to win her race and she lost her action.

“She came out of it quite sore, so we’ve given her a little freshen up since then and Andrew is happy with her and she’s moving well again.”



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Blossoming Bluestocking has big targets at Goodwood and York

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The Nassau Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks remain likely targets for Bluestocking following her Group One breakthrough in Ireland last weekend.

Having made an impressive start to her four-year-old campaign in the Middleton Stakes at York, Ralph Beckett’s filly showed plenty of tenacity to go with her undoubted talent to mow down proven top-notcher Emily Upjohn in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

The daughter of Camelot is reported to have taken those Irish exertions in her stride and further major prizes await, with Goodwood and York obvious stopping points later this summer.

“She came out of it great, Ralph was very happy with her. She’s a tough old mare to be fair to her,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“She was gutsy and showed good determination to get up on Saturday. She’s threatened to deliver that for a while now, so it’s nice to actually get it done.

“In fairness, she was a big, immature three-year-old and a weak filly, so it’s no wonder she’s improving.

“I think that (Nassau then Yorkshire Oaks) looks the logical route. That was what Ralph was thinking and the owners were happy to go along with it, so if Ralph is happy with her, that’s the way we’ll go.”

Nostrum remains an exciting prospect for the Juddmonte team
Nostrum remains an exciting prospect for the Juddmonte team (Mike Egerton/PA)

Another Juddmonte homebred to perform well last weekend was the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Nostrum, who was on the comeback trail in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.

The son of Kingman looked destined for the top as a juvenile and made a smart start to his three-year-old campaign at Newmarket 12 months ago, but he was beaten at Goodwood on his subsequent start and finished last of six in his next two races before being gelded over the winter.

Nostrum made his return at Group Three level on the July Course and Mahon is taking plenty of encouragement from his performance in finishing a close second to Noble Dynasty.

He added: “It was great to see him back and I think he’s just ready now to get going again.

“He’d obviously had a time of it since his last run at Sandown, so it was nice to see him behave well and settle well and finish the race off well. There were a lot of positives there, hopefully we’re on our way back to where we’d hope we’d be and we’ll look forward to his next run.

“There are plenty of options, he was entered for the City of York the other day and I think he’s in the Lennox at Goodwood. We’ll just let Sir Michael and the horse tell us when they’re ready for action.

“He did everything right the other day, which he hadn’t done on his last three starts, so hopefully we’re on our way to where we need to be.”



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‘Talented’ Nostrum makes Mile return at Sandown

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Nostrum is out to prove he remains a high-class prospect when he makes his return in the bet365 Mile at Sandown on Friday.

The one-time Classic hope endured a frustrating three-year-old campaign and having missed the first half of the season due to a setback, made a winning reappearance in Newmarket’s Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

However, that was the sole bright moment for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt, who got stuck in the mud when second in Goodwood’s Thoroughbred Stakes before finishing lame when the odds-on favourite at York in the Strensall Stakes, after which his season was brought to a halt.

The son of Kingman is now back to correct a few records and after pleasing his connections in the lead-up to his reappearance, has the chance to give his handler a fourth win in the Group Two event.

Nostrum was once seen as a Classic contender
Nostrum was once seen as a Classic contender (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He’s in good shape and has had a good winter, so it will be exciting to see him back and what he can do,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“He has won at Sandown before and that is a plus, we know he likes the track and it will be good to see him back. He’s been slightly frustrating, but we know he’s talented, so it would be nice to see it on the track.

“He’s had a pretty unremarkable prep leading into it, he’s been sound and moving well and the team there have been happy. Ryan Moore was happy last Wednesday when he rode him and it seems to have gone smoothly this spring, whereas last year we had setbacks and were always on the backfoot.

“Hopefully the ground will be good and we get to see the true Nostrum.”

John and Thady Gosden’s stalwart Lord North will drop back to a mile having failed to land a fourth straight Dubai Turf at Meydan last month.

Lord North will be ridden by William Buick at Sandown
Lord North will be ridden by William Buick at Sandown (Megan Ridgwell/PA)

The Clarehaven eight-year-old has not raced over this distance since finishing second in the Balmoral Handicap in 2019, but has become a regular figure in the biggest events over middle distances since that contest.

Roger Varian’s Charyn regularly hit the frame without getting his moment in the spotlight last term, but got the new campaign off to the perfect start when striking in the Doncaster Mile on the opening day of the Flat turf season.

He now makes the move into deeper waters and his Carlburg Stables handler warns he will need to improve to match his exploits on Town Moor.

Varian said: “He’s in good form and the race on Friday will require a bit more winning than Doncaster, it’s a strong, select field, I think.

“It’s a very solid Group Two, but the track, trip and ground should suit him and he goes there in good form.”

Charyn delivered a telling blow at Doncaster
Charyn delivered a telling blow at Doncaster (Nigel French/PA)

Poker Face claimed the scalp of the reopposing Flight Plan in Pontefract’s Pomfret Stakes last year, a victory that kick-started a three-race winning run for Simon and Ed Crisford’s representative.

His streak came to an end in Italy in November, but he reappears as the second best runner in the field on official figures, rated just 2lb inferior to Lord North.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Flight Plan ended his three-year-old season on a high when claiming the Group Two Dullingham Park Stakes at Leopardstown and will have sharpened up thanks to a racecourse gallop at Newmarket during the Craven meeting.

Hungerford Stakes winner Witch Hunter represents the in-form Richard Hannon team, with Charlie Hills’ Pogo completing the line-up.



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Nostrum to bypass Newmarket Challenge

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One-time Classic hope Nostrum is unlikely to return until next season after connections ruled out an outing in Friday’s Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes at Newmarket.

Having rounded off his juvenile campaign with a third placed finish in the Dewhurst, the Kingman colt was considered a legitimate 2000 Guineas contender before injury intervened in the spring.

A spectacular return in a Listed event at Newmarket’s July meeting suggested Nostrum was ready to make up for lost time, but he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Epictetus on his next start at Goodwood and finished lame when trailing home last of six in York’s Strensall Stakes last month.

The three-year-old is now back in work, but he will not take up his engagement on the Rowley Mile this week and connections are preparing to draw stumps for the season.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for Nostrum’s owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “He won’t run on Friday, I spoke with Sir Michael this morning and he just wants to give the horse more time.

“It’s more than likely you won’t see the horse until next season.”



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Nostrum set for thorough check-up after York disappointment

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Future plans are on hold for Nostrum after the exciting colt finished lame when hot favourite for the Strensall Stakes at York on Saturday.

Third behind fellow Juddmonte-owned three-year-old Chaldean in the Dewhurst at Newmarket last term, the son of Kingman missed the first part of the current campaign after suffering a setback in the spring.

A spectacular comeback win in a Listed race at Newmarket last month suggested Sir Michael Stoute’s inmate was destined for the top, but he was beaten by Epictetus in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood and trailed home last of six runners in another Group Three on the Knavesmire on Saturday.

Whether Nostrum runs again this season remains to be seen, with connections still trying to discover the exact cause of his disappointing performance.

“He was lame behind on the day and it will be investigated a bit more today and tomorrow,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon on Monday.

“I don’t think it’s anything too sinister from what Sir Michael was saying, he thought it might have been more muscular than anything, but until we check it out we’ll wait and see.

“We won’t know what the plan is until we get all the results back and see what was causing the niggle.

“It was disappointing, but it would be worse if there was no reason for it. The main thing is getting him right as we know the talent is there and the ability is there, it’s just about getting him right.”

Bluestocking has done well in top-class company
Bluestocking has done well in top-class company (Andrew Matthews/PA)

A Juddmonte runner who produced a more positive performance at York was Bluestocking, who was beaten just three and a half lengths into fourth place in Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks.

Ralph Beckett’s filly has previously finished third in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot before being narrowly denied by Savethelastdance in the Irish Oaks, and her team must now decide whether to lower her sights or line up in another Group One contest on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot.

Mahon added: “I thought she ran a lovely race and she’s a filly that’s probably still a little bit on the weak side when you watch her going round the ring compared to some of the opposition.

“I thought it was noticeable that there’s still a little bit of weakness in her and I think she’s filly that will be better next year, but she’s running to a high level of form.

“A little bit more ease in the ground probably suits her a little better and I’m sure there’ll be good days to be had with her along the way.

“We haven’t really decided where we go next, we need to discuss that with the owners. We touched on it after the race whether we drop in class and win a race this year or she goes to the fillies’ race on Ascot on Champions Day.

“We’ll let her get over York and speak with the owners and then decide in the coming weeks.”

Frankie Dettori and Andrew Balding with Chaldean after winning the 2000 Guineas
Frankie Dettori and Andrew Balding with Chaldean after winning the 2000 Guineas (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

Mahon also provided an update on 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean, who has enjoyed a mid-season break since failing to fire in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville in early July.

The Andrew Balding-trained son of Frankel is being readied for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day, with a prep run at Newmarket in the pipeline.

“I think Andrew in the back of his head is slightly thinking of the Joel Stakes,” said Mahon.

“He’s back in Kingsclere and cantering away and we sort of said we’d just monitor and see how he goes closer to the time, but Andrew was thinking Joel Stakes and then the QEII.”



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Nostrum primed to show star potential once more

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The high-class Nostrum bids to get back to winning ways in the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes at York on Saturday.

Sir Michael Stoute’s talented son of Kingman has won three of his five career starts and having missed the first half of his three-year-old campaign through a setback, returned in imperious fashion in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket.

However, things did not go to plan at Goodwood in the Thoroughbred Stakes, with Nostrum struggling to pick up with his usual zest in the testing ground and having to settle for a length defeat behind Epictetus.

With conditions set to be much more in the colt’s favour on the Knavesmire, connections are hoping to see their exciting prospect bounce right back to his best in a contest the Freemason Lodge handler has won twice since 2017.

“He’s in good form, obviously it didn’t work out for him the last day but he came out of the race very well,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“We think he’ll have come forward for the run and we’re looking forward to getting him back on a better surface and a more conventional track.

“Hopefully we’ll see the Nostrum we saw at Newmarket again.

“We all called it wrong, we thought he’d have liked the ground the last day as he’s a big horse and he bends his knee a bit.

“We were all wrong and Ryan (Moore) just felt that he couldn’t pull himself out of it, it was gluey.

“There was the factor too that he’d been off the track for so long, there may have been a bounce on his second start – we don’t know but he’s training well and we’re looking forward to seeing him.”

Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum finished second in this 12 months ago and will attempt to go one better with El Drama, who was beaten only a neck on his first start for Karl Burke in Haydock’s Rose of Lancaster Stakes.

The Spigot Lodge team are also represented by Flight Plan who has shown glimpses of real ability this term and was a also a runner-up when last sighted.

Jimi Hendrix’s Royal Hunt Cup victory earnt himself a step up to Group Two company for the Summer Mile earlier in the season and he has been given another chance to thrive in Pattern company at a track handler Ralph Beckett believes will suit.

He said: “He’s in good form. I felt it was a little bit too quick for him back after Ascot. In retrospect the Summer Mile was quite hard on him.

“I think the nature of this race will set up well for him. I think the flat track will suit him well, he’s not so good on the undulations.”

Five go to post for this Group Three event with Richard Fahey’s hat-trick-seeking Spirit Dancer and Charlie Johnston’s Ganton Stakes scorer Chichester completing the line-up and both bringing smart course form to the table.



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Kinross in line to defend City of York crown on Saturday

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Kinross could be set for a York rematch with Isaac Shelby when he defends his Sky Bet City of York Stakes crown on Saturday.

Ralph Beckett’s six-year-old claimed this Group Two prize with real authority 12 months ago before going on to add further big-race victories at Doncaster, ParisLongchamp and Ascot on British Champions Day before the season ended.

He thrived for the return to seven furlongs when clashing with Brian Meehan’s progressive colt at Goodwood and will be hoping to confirm the form of that neck victory over his younger rival when they lock horns on the Knavesmire.

The Lennox Stakes protagonists are just two of a high-class cast of 16 that could line up, with William Haggas nominating this contest as the next port of call for Royal Ascot runner-up Sacred.

Charlie Appleby’s Al Suhail was not disgraced when finishing sixth in that Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, while Pogo and Sandrine were second and third respectively behind Kinross 12 months ago and others who remain involved following Monday’s confirmation stage.

The weekend’s action on the Knavesmire begins with what could be an exciting renewal of the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute could hold all the aces in a race he has won twice in the last 10 years as both Nostrum and Passenger have an entry for the Group Three contest over a mile and one furlong.

Nostrum – who also holds an entry for a Group Two at Goodwood on the same day – created a taking impression when making his seasonal return in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket before getting bogged down in testing conditions on the Sussex Downs recently.

Meanwhile, the Niarchos family’s Passenger has already performed with credit at York once this term when a luckless third in the Dante and has been given plenty of time to recover from his Epsom exertions when down the field in the Derby.

A maximum of 14 will contest that £170,000 event, while the Listed Julia Graves Roses Stakes has attracted 17 names including Windsor Castle Stakes third Inquisitively, who makes his first appearance for Kevin Philippart de Foy, and Andrew Balding’s Molecomb Stakes runner-up Purosangue.



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Epictetus shocks hot favourite Nostrum in Thoroughbred Stakes

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Epictetus inflicted a shock defeat on the much-vaunted Nostrum to land the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

Winner of his first two juvenile starts before finishing third in the Dewhurst, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Nostrum was considered a legitimate Classic contender at the start of the year before injury ruled him out of the first half of the season.

Having made a dominant comeback in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket last month, there was talk of a tilt at Group One glory in the Sussex Stakes, but connections instead elected to take another step forward in this Group Three contest.

For much of the one-mile journey the race appeared to be going according to script, with Ryan Moore adopting the same pacesetting tactics which worked so impressively at Newmarket three weeks ago aboard the 4-6 market leader – but it was a clear with a furlong to run he had a race on his hands.

Having sat in Nostrum’s slipstream throughout, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Epictetus produced the better finishing kick of the pair and passed the post with a length in hand under Frankie Dettori.

Of the vanquished favourite, Stoute’s assistant James Savage said: “Ryan thought he had the horse in the perfect place and that the race was for us, but in the last 100 yards he said it was like having a puncture.

“We always thought he would handle cut in the ground, but it found him out in the final 100 yards.

“He’s never not hit the line and we felt he just didn’t hit the line today. We’ll give him a good check over and regroup.

“All of our horses are trained to hit their heights at a certain time, and this horse – for sure he’s a very good horse this year, but he will be an even better horse next year.”

Frankie Dettori performs his flying dismount celebration after winning on Epictetus
Frankie Dettori performs his flying dismount celebration after winning on Epictetus (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Epictetuswas a 6-1 shot to notch a first win since making a successful reappearance at Epsom in April, having since failed to trouble the judge in the Dante, the French Derby or the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dropping back to a mile for the first time this season Epictetus looked the real deal, much to the delight of his connections.

“The horse has shown plenty of speed over a mile and two (furlongs), we thought he’d progress to a mile and a quarter this year,” said Thady Gosden.

“Obviously it hasn’t necessarily panned out, he’s run good races without getting his head in front but dropping him down in trip today on ground he’s enjoyed has suited him well.

“It was a perfect ride. He broke well, sat where he was happy on the fence and it panned out, he followed Ryan and it was a Houdini move to get out of there with a furlong to go. Being Frankie, he obviously managed to do it!

“Obviously there is a mile race back here, the Celebration Mile, which fits in well.”

Dettori added: “We tried three times over a mile and two furlongs and we always had an excuse – the ground, the competition in the Jockey Club, and we thought maybe George (Strawbridge, owner) was right when he said, ‘Maybe you guys are running this horse too long!’

“John and Thady found this race over a mile and the favourite looked very hard to beat, I had a good passage and he passed the horse and was not stopping, I give him full credit

“He is ready to go up in grade – the Celebration Mile in three weeks springs to mind and then there are lots of races in the autumn – at Newmarket, maybe over Arc weekend. He has beat a decent field today in style and we can go back and make big plans.

“As he handles some ease in the ground, we can look to the autumn.”



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Nostrum taking Baaeed route in Thoroughbred Stakes

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Nostrum again bids to emulate the brilliant Baaeed in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge was considered a Classic contender at the start of the year after finishing third in last season’s Dewhurst, but a spring setback ruled him out of the 2000 Guineas, the Irish Guineas and Royal Ascot.

However, the Kingman colt blew his rivals away on his belated reappearance in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket, a Listed contest won two years ago by Baaeed before he successfully stepped up to Group Three level in the Thoroughbred Stakes.

Like the William Haggas-trained superstar, who retired last term having won 10 of his 11 starts including six Group Ones, Nostrum had the option of stepping up to the highest level in Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes as a three-year-old – but his connections have also elected to take a smaller step.

“We’re all looking forward to it, he’s in good shape and Sir Michael is happy with him,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager to owners Juddmonte.

“Of course we gave it (Sussex Stakes) consideration, but Michael rightly pointed out and the owners agreed, why go from second gear to fifth? Let’s go through the gears, we’re looking at longevity and we don’t want to kill the horse off with one run.

“We’ll bring him along gradually and there’s plenty of Group Ones later in the season.

“We’re all thinking about stallions and commerciality, but it didn’t do him (Baaeed) any harm. He got to where he needed to get and if we can get there, we’ll be happy.”

Nostrum will be a warm order in the hands of Ryan Moore, but Mahon is taking nothing for granted.

He added: “It’s a good, solid Group Three, hopefully it’s another stepping-stone and it will be nice to see him back on the track.

“Ground-wise I don’t think we’re too concerned – a bit of cut in the ground will be fine for him.”

Chief among Nostrum’s rivals is Docklands, who completed his hat-trick in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot and is now given his Pattern-race debut by trainer Harry Eustace.

The three-year-old carries the colours of Australian-based syndicate OTI Racing and will be making a trip to the southern hemisphere before the year is out.

Docklands and Hayley Turner after winning at Royal Ascot
Docklands and Hayley Turner after winning at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“He won the biggest handicap for the owners this year and this will teach us a lot about him from their point of view and his targets down in Australia, whenever they may be,” said the Newmarket handler.

“He won on soft ground at Ascot in May and good to firm at the Royal meeting. It’s a big positive that, I don’t have to worry about it frankly.”

John and Thady Gosden bring the high-class Epictetus back in trip, while Jessica Harrington sends Bold Discovery across the Irish Sea following a recent Listed triumph at the Curragh.

Simon and Ed Crisford saddle an interesting contender in Knight, who has been gelded since being withdrawn by the starter prior to the French 2000 Guineas.

He had previously disappointed when well fancied for the Greenham Stakes at Newbury in April off the back of an unbeaten juvenile campaign.

Winning connections with Knight at Newbury last season
Winning connections with Knight at Newbury last season (Neil Morrice/PA)

Ed Crisford said: “He is gelded now after France. He has had some time off and has been doing really well since then.

“We have done a lot of stalls work with him and we hope that on Friday he can take everything in his stride and run a decent race.

“It is a bit of a comeback mission. We need to see him run before making a proper judgement on what we do next with him. It is going to be a case of seeing how he reacts.

“We have done a lot of work with him at home. Hopefully that will pay off and hopefully he can run a decent race. There are plenty of targets throughout the summer and into the autumn.”

Galeron (Charlie Hills) and Montesilvano (Joseph O’Brien) complete the field.

Hamish in action at Chester
Hamish in action at Chester (David Davies/PA)

The other Group Three on Friday’s card is the L’Ormarins King’s Plate Glorious Stakes, in which Haggas saddles both the hot favourite Hamish and Candleford.

Having sidestepped a red-hot renewal of the King George at Ascot on Saturday on account of unsuitable ground, Hamish bids for a sixth win at Group Three level, while stablemate Candleford finished third in Goodwood’s Tapster Stakes on his only previous outing this year.

The Gosden-trained Mimikyu is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time after placed efforts at York and Haydock, while Norwegian raider Hard One To Please adds international interest.



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Nostrum makes serious impression on return to action

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Nostrum created a big impression when making all the running to win the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the Kingman colt was one of last season’s leading juveniles, finishing third in the Dewhurst behind subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean – like Nostrum owned by Juddmonte.

Forced to miss the Guineas due to a minor setback, Nostrum was making his seasonal reappearance at Listed level but was still sent off the 11-10 favourite against some promising rivals.

Ryan Moore was happy to make the running, settling beautifully, and just like his sire he produced a smart turn of foot when needed.

Going into the dip, when Moore pressed the button the race was soon over and while the previously unbeaten Embesto gave chase, he was beaten by a comprehensive three lengths.

Stoute said: “It was everything I hoped to see. He had been off for nine months, but he was working very well.

“It looked a competitive field, so we weren’t confident of winning, but we knew he’d run very well.

“But he was most impressive. I was very pleased with him.

“He knocked a hind leg and he needed time to get the infection out and get him right again. The last three weeks we’ve been happy that he’d shown progressive improvement. Ryan liked him.”

Coral halved Stoute’s charge to 6-1 for the Qatar Sussex Stakes, but Stoute said: “I haven’t a clue yet where he will go. He could go a mile and a quarter when we want. We have to see how he comes out of it.

“He will tell us if he could go into Group One company next time, but on today’s evidence, I think he’s ready. I don’t know.

“His two-year-old career was brimfull of promise. Things didn’t quite right for him in the Dewhurst. He’s come here today and won impressively and we can only be very happy, because he is a nice, progressive horse.”

Cecil’s widow Lady Jane was in attendance, having earlier opened the new Rose Terrace bar in memory of her husband, who died 10 years ago.

Nostrum was of course an appropriate winner, carrying as he did the Juddmonte colours sported by Cecil’s greatest horse, Frankel.

Lady Jane said: “Henry loved the July course in full bloom. When you arrive at the track and you see the entrance with all the flags flying it is such a relaxing atmosphere. It puts a smile on your face.

“It’s hard to believe it was 10 years ago that he passed away. I feel very grateful that Newmarket have put on the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes which has become a really good race what with Baaeed winning it the other year.”

Lady Jane Cecil officially opens the Rose Terrace in memory of Sir Henry Cecil
Lady Jane Cecil officially opens the Rose Terrace in memory of Sir Henry Cecil (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

Looking back on July course memories, Lady Jane said: “The Falmouth Stakes was an important race for Timepiece to win, especially for Prince Khalid. She did it so well that day and it was lovely to see.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t here when Frankel won (on debut in 2010) as I was in Deauville as the sales were on so I ended up watching the race from my hotel room. We were all looking forward to him having his first run as his work had been so good at home.

“I remember when Wince won the 1000 Guineas in 1999 when they staged it here. It was a very special day and when Henry had a winner, the Newmarket crowd really got behind him.

“That day was a bit like how it was when Frankel won down at Ascot. The outpouring of love from the people of Newmarket was great. They loved seeing a Newmarket winner especially when it was one for Henry.”



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Nostrum primed for delayed Newmarket return

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Nostrum will make a belated three-year-old debut at Newmarket on Thursday after recovering from a setback that scuppered his Classic hopes.

Unbeaten in his first two starts as a juvenile, including when impressing in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket in September, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Nostrum was last seen finishing third to fellow Juddmonte runner Chaldean in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Those performances saw Nostrum priced as short as 8-1 for the 2000 Guineas, but the son of Kingman missed out on an early-season return to the Rowley Mile and was similarly ruled out of appearing in the French and Irish equivalents.

He will be a warm order as he lines up against five rivals in a strong renewal of the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

“He’s in good shape and has been ready there for the past few weeks,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“This is the first opportunity to start him back. He seems in good shape and Michael and his team, and Ryan (Moore) all seem very happy with his work and we’re excited to get him back on track.

“He’s still full of promise and his work at home has been good so hopefully, touch wood, we have a clear run for the rest of the season.”

The Shadwell-owned Mostabshir has run three times this season, latterly when almost eight lengths adrift of subsequent Eclipse hero Paddington in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Winner of a Kempton all-weather novice on his sole juvenile outing, Jim Crowley’s mount started his Classic season with a fifth-placed effort in the Craven Stakes, before winning a novice by five lengths under William Buick at York.

Angus Gold, Shadwell’s long-time racing manager, is hopeful the John and Thady Gosden-trained son of Dark Angel will find his optimum level.

“We aimed high early in the year and came back and won very well at York,” said Gold. “He ran fine in the St James’s Palace. We dropped him straight into Group One company and it was always going to be a big ask.

“It will be good to get him back into this sort of company, albeit there are some very good horses and potentially very good horses in there.

“We just need to get on with him. It has been a bit stop-start with him in terms of dropping him straight in the deep end, didn’t work, came back won very well, then back in the deep end. We just need to just find his level.

“This is Listed level and this should be very interesting. It’s a potentially a very high-class race, so it will be very interesting to see how he gets on against them.”

Roger Varian saddles both unbeaten Embesto and New Endeavour, who bids to go one better than when touched off narrowly by Docklands in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.

In an intriguing affair, Charlie Appleby runs similarly unbeaten Imperial Emperor, who won a maiden on the Rowley Mile in October and followed up on his return on the July course in a novice over this mile course and distance 19 days ago.

The field is completed by Wildfell, who goes up in class and seeks a fifth successive victory for Peter Chapple-Hyam.



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Nostrum pencilled in for Newmarket comeback run

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Nostrum could return to action in the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes during Newmarket’s July Festival.

Sir Michael Stoute’s talented colt was unbeaten in his first two starts as a juvenile, including when impressing in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket in September, and was last seen finishing third to fellow Juddmonte-owned 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean in the Dewhurst last autumn.

He was likely to return with Classic aspirations in the early part of the season, but any hope of that was scuppered when meeting with a setback in the spring, and having lost the race to be fit in time for a Royal Ascot run, connections are now pencilling in the Listed event Baaeed won in 2021 on July 13 for the Kingman colt’s comeback.

“He’s in good nick and is getting close,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“A loose plan is that he will run in the Henry Cecil at Newmarket’s July Meeting. It’s the one-mile Listed race that Baaeed won a couple of years ago.

“We were probably about two weeks short of being ready for Ascot and Sir Michael said let’s take our time and start off slow. So that looks like the plan as long as everything continues to go OK between now and then.”

Nostrum ridden by Ryan Moore on their way to victory in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket
Nostrum ridden by Ryan Moore on their way to victory in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket (Mike Egerton/PA)

Although unable to make an appearance in either the Classics or at Ascot’s summer showpiece, Mahon believes there is plenty to still look forward to and is backing Nostrum to make his mark in the second half of the season.

He continued: “It’s not the be-all and end-all (missing the start of the season). If you are a Group One horse then there are plenty of races in the second half of the season and even next season if he is a Group One horse, he’ll be able to showcase his talent.

“From a commercial point of view, you would love to be there for the Guineas and Ascot etc but I suppose you have to remember that with Chaldean as well, we would probably have been trying to keep them apart anyway.”



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‘Little setback’ scuppers Nostrum’s Guineas hopes

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Nostrum will not run in the Qipco 2000 Guineas having been ruled out of the early part of the season with a setback.

Sir Michael Stoute’s talented colt was unbeaten in his first two starts as a juvenile, including when impressing in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket in September, and was last seen finishing third to fellow Juddmonte-owned Classic contender Chaldean in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Those performances saw Nostrum priced as short as 8-1 for opening Classic of the summer, but the son of Kingman will miss out on an early-season return to the Rowley Mile for the Guineas on May 6 and is also ruled out of appearing in the French and Irish equivalents – with connections tentatively highlighting a Royal Ascot date in June.

“Nostrum has had a little setback and he will not run in any of the Guineas,” said Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“He’s had a little setback and he just needs a couple of weeks going easy, then hopefully we will have him back for the middle of the summer.

“We’ll just let him tell us. I suppose we will aim for Royal Ascot and if we get there great, but if we don’t, then we will just give him more time.”



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Chaldean to prep for 2000 Guineas bid in Greenham

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Leading 2000 Guineas contender Chaldean will tune up for his tilt at the opening Classic of the season in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes next month.

Andrew Balding’s son of Frankel is the general third-favourite behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear for the Newmarket showpiece (May 6) on the back of an impeccable juvenile season.

Although only fifth at Newbury on debut, he soon returned to the Berkshire track to set the record straight before picking up a further three victories at two – ending the year by claiming Group One honours on the Rowley Mile in the Dewhurst Stakes in October.

Chaldean (right) ridden by Frankie Dettori on way to winning Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse
Chaldean (right) ridden by Frankie Dettori on way to winning Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse (Tim Goode/PA)

It will again be Newbury where Chaldean starts his campaign and owners Juddmonte will be hoping the super-talented colt can uphold their fine record in the seven-furlong Group Three having seen both the imperious Frankel (2011) and Kingman (2014) taste success in the renowned Guineas trial in recent times.

“I spoke to Andrew (Balding) this morning and he was very happy with him,” said Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s racing manager.

“He said he worked nicely on Saturday and all being well he is set to take his place in the Greenham and then we will see where we go from there.”

Chaldean was ridden by Frankie Dettori in his final two starts of last season and the Italian will be given the opportunity to maintain the duo’s unbeaten partnership if returning from his winter spell in California in time for one final crack at the Rowley Mile’s early-season feature.

“If Frankie comes back from America in time then he will ride him,” continued Mahon.

“When we were all in the parade ring after the Dewhurst we sort of made that agreement and the Abdullah family are happy to stick by it. So as long as he doesn’t get a ride in the Kentucky Derby, I’m sure he will be back to ride him.

Frankie Dettori performs a flying dismount after winning the Darley Dewhurst Stakes on Chaldean at Newmarket
Frankie Dettori performs a flying dismount after winning the Darley Dewhurst Stakes on Chaldean at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

“It would be great as he has been such a phenomenal man for the sport. He’s been one of the best jockeys in the world for the past 20 years so it would be great to see him going out on a high and getting a few Group One winners during his last summer.”

Sir Michael Stoute’s Nostrum is another high-class prospect in the famous pink and green silks of Juddmonte for connections to get excited about as the Flat turf season draws ever near.

Only seen three times last term, the Kingman colt was a taking winner of the Tattersalls Stakes over the 2000 Guineas course and distance in September before his inexperience cost him when third behind Chaldean over a furlong less in the Dewhurst.

The likeable bay holds entries in the Newmarket, Irish and French Guineas and Mahon suggest he could make his reappearance in one of those, sure to be, red-hot assignments.

“Michael is very happy with Nostrum, he’s ticking along nicely,” added Mahon.

“He hasn’t really set any targets for him yet and I don’t think he will run in a trial. He could go straight to a Guineas, but we haven’t decided which one yet.”



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Chaldean will be Dettori’s ride if he wants it, say Juddmonte

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The Juddmonte team are keeping everything crossed that leading 2000 Guineas contender Chaldean can give Frankie Dettori a Classic winner in his final year before retirement.

The popular Italian teamed up with Andrew Balding’s Frankel colt twice in the autumn, steering him to success in both the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and the Dewhurst at Newmarket.

Speaking on a Zoom call to reveal the classifications for last season’s two-year-old crop, Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon confirmed Dettori will keep the ride on Chaldean, whose rating of 119 makes him the joint second-highest rated juvenile of 2022 along with Blackbeard.

Little Big Bear was crowned Europe’s champion juvenile with a mark of 124.

“He’s definitely Frankie’s ride if he wants him and he’s available and hasn’t any other commitments,” said Mahon.

“I spoke with Andrew last week about it and he was of the same mind that Frankie seemed to click well with the horse and in their two starts they built up a good rapport, so we definitely wouldn’t look to be changing anything there unless Frankie has a commitment anywhere else.

“Frankie has been a phenomenal jockey for so many years. He’s been phenomenal for the sport and is loved and adored all around the world.

“We’re very much looking forward to the next 12 months. Hopefully we’ll be able to retain his services plenty as we’ve a few nice horses in the Gosdens and elsewhere and Frankie is always top of our list when he’s available.

“Hopefully he has a good season and goes off into retirement on a good note.”

Nostrum is another exciting prospect
Nostrum is another exciting prospect (Mike Egerton/PA)

Chaldean is one of two leading Guineas contenders for Juddmonte along with Sir Michael Stoute’s Nostrum, who was beaten two and a half lengths into third place in the Dewhurst.

While Mahon is not ruling out the possibility of the pair renewing rivalry over the Rowley Mile in the 2000 Guineas, connections could instead opt to split their aces.

He added: “It’s a nice position to be in having a number of nice two-year-olds heading into the winter and looking forward to their three-year-old campaigns.

“I suppose we might be a bit far away to be making plans about keeping them apart. In an ideal world I suppose we would like to keep them apart, with possibly one running in the English Guineas and the other go to France or Ireland.

“But there’s a lot of work to be done yet and if something had a little setback along the way it would be nice to have a replacement to fill in for the English 2000 Guineas.

“I think we’ll aim for both of them to head towards Newmarket for the time being and get a bit closer and sit down with the Abdullah family and see what they’d like to do.

“In fairness they were gallant enough to let both of them run in the Dewhurst, which was a brave call, and it was the right call in hindsight.

“Maybe it’s the case that they would like both of them to run (at Newmarket).”

A horse viewed as a possible Derby runner for the team is John and Thady Gosden’s Arrest.

Placed behind Nostrum on his introduction, he went on to win his next two starts before being narrowly denied by Dubai Mile in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Mahon said: “John and Thady were always very bullish about him from July onwards. I happened to be there in July and they said to me that he was the colt that was standing out to them at the time.

“He’s a very nice horse and ran a good race on his debut, the form of which has worked out very well with Nostrum finishing in front of him, and then he went on and won his two novices nicely.

“It was a big jump up from him at Saint-Cloud. He was a very immature horse and unfortunately the ground that day was horrendous – the jockeys said it was as deep as you would ever get ground.

“He ran a good race and I think his weakness maybe caught him out in the last 50 yards when Mark Johnston’s horse came past him.

“He’ll start off in a Derby trial and could go to Sandown and follow the Westover route from last year – Sandown, Epsom and the Curragh.

“He’s a nice prospect and I hope he can make up into a nice middle-distance three-year-old.”

Mahon also gave mention to two maiden winners who have not yet tested their powers at the highest level, but could do before the year is out.

He added: “We have a filly called Bluestocking who won her maiden at Salisbury for Ralph Beckett, she’s a filly we like a lot. She’s very much a three-year-old type and being by Camelot she’s bred to want 10 or 12 furlongs.

“Then there is a filly called Coppice for John and Thady Gosden. She won her maiden first time out on the all-weather and she’s a sister to Calyx.

“I think John and Thady are taking her along nice and slow. It all depends how she winters and how she is in the spring, but I think if John and Thady feel that she’s in good form and her work is forward enough, there’s every chance she’ll start off in a Guineas trial.

“If she’s a little bit slow to come to hand we’ll be conservative and might go for a novice and aim towards bigger prizes in the summer, rather than pushing her to go to the Guineas.

“I think she’ll stay well. She broke her maiden over seven furlongs and hit the line very strong that day, so I don’t think she’ll have any problem with the mile.”



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