GB: The only way is Essex for US trainer Wesley Ward, who will seek to add to his 12 Royal Ascot successes from a base at Chelmsford City racecourse where he will have access to the new turf course which has yet to be raced on.
Having previously boarded his horses at the National Stud in Newmarket and training establishments such as Whatcombe and Manton, Ward has chosen a venue better known as one of Britain’s six all-weather tracks to stable the likes of Golden Pal and Campanelle.
The pair are among a group of six Ward horses nominated for the trip, plus a lead pony, which also includes three-year-old fillies Ruthin and Her World. Love Reigns and No Nay Hudson are the only two-year-olds so far confirmed, while the Wayne Catalano runner Andthewinneris will also stay at Chelmsford.
On past visits Ward has always worked his horses on grass and though Chelmsford’s main track is synthetic, the inner turf course is being made available for training for the first time.
“It’s an exciting affirmation of where we are at as a racecourse that he considers us worthy of bringing his horses here,” said director of racing Neil Graham. “We're excited about hosting him and being part of the Wesley Ward success story.
“We've been working hard to have the turf in good order. We're watering it and cutting it so if he wants to use the turf track it will certainly be in a usable condition and we’d be delighted to let him do that.
“It is marginally under a mile round and it has quite good sweeping and cambered bends. We've not had any horse on it yet, but it looks in good nick with a nice sward of grass.
He added: “We are hoping to run one or two races this autumn on it, probably in October. We’d be the first racecourse in Great Britain to have turf racing under lights – it would be nice to get some feedback from Wesley.”
Ward, the most successful US trainer at Royal Ascot, was seeking a base nearer to Ascot than Newmarket and Chelmsford City was put forward by International Racing Bureau director Adrian Beaumont. “Wesley has been at pains to say he has been very happy at the National Stud the last few years but was looking to do something different this time,” said Beaumont.
“He has always liked the idea of training on a track. He’s been for mornings out at Kempton in the past. He is always looking for a new opportunity that can give him an extra edge.
“Whenever he has been in Newmarket he never used the all-weather, he worked on the turf every day. They have a turf track at Chelmsford, which is a big advantage, and it is being prepared as if he will use it.”
• Visit the Chelmsford City racecourse website
‘We think he’s special’ – Wayne Catalano targets Royal Ascot with Keeneland scorer Andthewinneris
Royal Ascot latest: Coronation Stakes next for Pizza Bianca after Pimlico success
View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sires