Beau’ To Stick With Ascot Assignment

Australian sprinter Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) will continue on his original path and skip the Apr. 4 G1 TJ Smith S. at The Championships in favor of a trip to England for Royal Ascot in June, according to Racing and Sports. 

A Group 2-winning 2-year-old, Brazen Beau added last season’s G2 Roman Consul S. and G1 Coolmore Stud S. before Darley sealed a stud deal on the colt. He finished second to Lankan Rupee (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) first-up in the G1 Lightning S. Feb. 21, and bested a field of highly rated older sprinters in the G1 Newmarket H. Mar. 14. 

“The TJ Smith was certainly tempting after the way he won the Newmarket,” Grant Morgan of Ontrack Thoroughbreds, which campaigns Brazen Beau in partnership, said. “But we had set out a plan even before Darley became involved, which was two autumn starts and then Royal Ascot in June. The program was mapped out for straight racing, at which he excels. He hasn’t been around a turn this preparation and the straight sprints in England appeal. We also had to think about the possibility of a wet track in the TJ Smith, which he doesn’t like.” 

Morgan said it had not been decided whether Brazen Beau would target the 1000 meter G1 King’s Stand S. or the 1200 meter G1 Diamond Jubilee S., but it wouldn’t be both. He said Joao Moreira, who was aboard in the Coolmore and Newmarket, would partner the Chris Waller-trained colt in England.