The Breeders’ Cup Challenge waves farewell to Britain for 2020 at Newmarket on Saturday with the Royal Lodge Stakes, one of three major 2-year-old races on a glittering card featuring the Cambridgeshire, the venerable handicap in which 35 horses will thunder down the Rowley Mile.
Those focussing on the class angle, however, will be more interested in the trio of Juddmote-sponsored juvenile contests, where the G1 pairing of the Cheveley Park for fillies and Middle Park for colts, both over six furlongs, is supplemented by the one-mile Royal Lodge, a ‘Win and You’re In’ race offering the winner a berth at the $1m Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Title-chasing trainer Andrew Balding saddles the likely favourite in Masekela, whose form has a really solid look. Short-headed by subsequent G1 winner Native Trail when he last tried G2 company on the July Course, he touched off Champagne Stakes winner Bayside Boy next time out.
Opponents here include Godolphin’s decisive maiden winner Coroebus and Acomb Stakes scorer Royal Patronage.
By the exalted standards of Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien’s progress has been only stuttering of late, but he loves this G2 contest, needing just one more success to equal Noel Murless’s record mark of eight wins from back in the days when the race was run at Ascot. Ryan Moore’s mount Howth is his chosen one this time, maybe with one eye on the Juvenile Turf, a race O’Brien has won four times in the past.
Seattle King, well beaten last time behind Masekela, represents last year’s winning trainer, Ralph Beckett.
This year’s European Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifiers conclude with five races at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at ParisLongchamp on Sunday, October 3.
Royal Lodge Stakes: a bit of context
History: A target for potential Classic performers, the Royal Lodge Stakes is named for a royal residence located in Windsor Great Park, reflecting the race’s original venue, Ascot, where it was established in 1946. First staged at Newmarket in 2005, when Ascot was closed for redevelopment, the race was moved permanently to the Rowley Mile in 2011 amid the shake-up to Britain’s autumn programme engendered in the creation of British Champions Day.
Star turn: Frankel (2010) – The final Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot produced something special. Tackling Group company for the first time on the third start of his young life, the colt destined to become a legend posted a breathtaking ten-length victory, powering clear under hands and heels. Among those beaten was subsequent Irish Derby and Secretariat Stakes winner Treasure Beach. Greatness beckoned.
Most wins (trainer): Noel Murless (8) Pinched (1957), St Paddy (1959), Casabianca (1963), Soft Angels (1965), Royal Palace (1966), Domineering (1969), Yaroslav (1971), Adios (1972).
Most wins – jockey: Lester Piggott (8) Pinched (1957), St Paddy (1959), Casabianca (1963), Soft Angels (1965), Royal Palace (1966), Remand (1967), Sir Wimborne (1975), Dunbeath (1982).
Breeders’ Cup Challenge
The winner receives an automatic fees-paid berth in the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on November 5. A minimum travel allowance of $40,000 will also be provided for all starters based outside North America.
Already qualified (2): Atomic Force (Champions Juvenile Stakes), Albahr (Summer Stakes).
Breeders’ Cup past performance
Last year’s winner New Mandate was quietly fancied for the Juvenile Turf but everything went wrong at Keeneland as he dwelt at the break, pulled hard and raced wide. He was last of 14 behind Fire At Will.
Otherwise, the Royal Lodge has had little bearing on the Breeders’ Cup, though the 1994 winner Eltish was beaten only two lengths by Timber Country in the BC Juvenile on dirt at Churchill Downs.
However, with Frankel topping the list, a series of top 2-year-olds have won the Royal Lodge, among them Classic winners like Mister Baileys (1993) and Benny The Dip (1996), three-time Canadian International scorer Joshua Tree (2009) and subsequent horse of the year Roaring Lion (2018).
Top contenders for 2021
Masekela (Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy) – the son of U.S. dirt runner El Kabeir steps up to a mile after defeating subsequent Champagne Stakes winner Bayside Boy in Newbury listed race over 7f; ran on strongly there, and beaten only narrowly on previous outing by Godolphin’s star juvenile Native Trail; breeding says distance should be right up his street; holds entry in G1 Vertem Futurity.
Coroebus (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) – hugely promising son of Dubawi looked good on July Course debut, sent off even-money favourite before holding market rival Saga by a length and a quarter (pair well clear in ten-runner field; runner-up won next time); steps up in grade and definitely not one to be taken lightly; G1-entered for all-conquering trainer.
Royal Patronage (Mark Johnston/Jason Hart) – won last two, following up comfortable Epsom novice win with surprise 25/1 success in G3 Acomb Stakes under Jason Hart at York’s Ebor meeting; progressive son of Wootton Bassett made all that day before and keeping on well.
Howth (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore) – Coolmore’s son of dual Guineas winner Churchill has been kept busy, winning only Killarney nursery in six outings so far; that race was at this one-mile trip, however, and he was beaten less than a length in the G2 Champions Juvenile at Leopardstown over a mile last time out.
What they say
Andrew Balding
Trains Masekela
“He’s been working well at home and is in good form. I think the extra furlong should really suit him in this race. We’re looking forward to the Royal Lodge and fingers crossed he can put in another good performance.”