By Tom Frary
Justify had the favourite for Thursday's Listed Chesham Stakes Aix La Chapelle withdrawn at the start, but remarkably still filled the first two places with his sons Nola Soul and On Just Terms.
Bred by John Gunther, the Fozzy Stack-trained TDN Rising Star Nola Soul was always prominent under Seamie Heffernan and stayed on to gain the advantage approaching the furlong pole en route to a half-length verdict over the Joseph O'Brien-trained newcomer On Just Terms. Aperoll (Ghaiyyath) was a head back in third.
“From day one, he had the action of a good horse and I've loads of experience with the Justifys and know how to nurture them and what they like and what they don't like,” Heffernan said of the 11-2 shot who had beaten Wednesday's Windsor Castle winner King Of Cloughan in the Leopardstown maiden won in recent times by Scorthy Champ. “The beauty is there's more to come. A lot of the Justify's have an engine and, once it's geared the right way, they're good.”
“He always showed plenty. He is by the right stallion, with a big stride and big heart,” he added. “When they give you the class feel from day one and they keep backing it up every week when you sit on them, it is usually a good sign. Big thumbs up to Craig–I think he picked him out himself and he sent him to Fozzy with a lot of confidence. We just kept agreeing that he is above where he should be. It is brilliant and I owe Craig a big thank you.”
For Stack, this represented a landmark first Royal Ascot success in the race in which Thesecretadversary was second 12 months ago. “He's a lovely horse and we have a high opinion of him,” he said. “Seamie has always loved him. He is a big strong galloper who can go fast for a long time. He is a January foal. I would say he would have no problem getting a mile and a quarter in time. I would hope he might turn up in a good race at the end of the year.”
Dylan Browne McMonagle said of On Just Terms, who nearly emulated Holloway Boy in winning this on debut in 2022, “He was not the quickest away, but I just had to get him relaxed and find his feet in the first half. They went a nice even gallop, which gave me a chance to get into it. He came home well and hit the line good. He is one to look forward to.”
Pat Dobbs said of Aperoll, “She over-raced a little bit for the first three furlongs. I am sure if she had settled, she probably would have won. She is not like that at home, so I do not know why she is like it at the racecourse–she just lights up a little bit.”
Trainer Richard Hannon added, “You come to this place to see if you've got a good filly and the answer to that is a yes. If you come here and finish third and you're disappointed, then you're not in the real world! She is a filly for next year–she will be competitive at the top level, I would say.”
What a way to start day three! Nola Soul wins the Chesham Stakes! #RoyalAscot
Pre-race favourite Aix La Chapelle was withdrawn after rearing up in the stalls! pic.twitter.com/a1TL2DWDtX
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2026
Nola Soul is the second foal out of Sing Me Home (Muhaarar), a granddaughter of Marozia (Storm Bird) who produced a trio of sires. They are Bernardini's Travers and Cigar Mile hero Stay Thirsty and Fusaichi Pegasus's Belmont runner-up Andromeda's Hero and Champagne Stakes-placed Superfly. Marozia's other daughter producer of note is Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid), who was responsible for Speightstown's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz and Frankel's St James's Palace Stakes-winning sire Without Parole. The latter's full-brother Rebel Red was also second in the Sword Dancer. Sing Me Home's yearling colt is by Annapolis, while she also has a filly foal by Yaupon.
Thursday, Royal Ascot, Britain
CHESHAM STAKES-Listed, £125,000, Ascot, 6-18, 2yo, 7fT, 1:26.85, g/f.
1–NOLA SOUL, 131, c, 2, by Justify
1st Dam: Sing Me Home (GB), by Muhaarar (GB)
2nd Dam: Smart Change, by Smart Strike
3rd Dam: Marozia, by Storm Bird
TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. ($220,000 Wlg '24 KEENOV). O-Craig Bernick; B-John D Gunther (KY); T-Fozzy Stack; J-Seamie Heffernan. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $109,364.
2–On Just Terms, 131, c, 2, Justify–Elitiste (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. ($100,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP; 220,000gns 2yo '26 TATBRE). O-Gollan Racing/First Light Racing/Taylor; B-St Elias Stables LLC (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien. £26,875.
3–Aperoll (GB), 126, f, 2, Ghaiyyath (Ire)–Rue Cambon (Ire), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (62,000gns RNA Wlg '24 TADEWE; 80,000gns Ylg '25 TATOCT). O-Mrs Johnny de la Hey; B-Plantation Stud; T-Richard Hannon. £13,450.
Margins: HF, HD, 3/4. Odds: 5.50, 28.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: South Dakota (Ire), Pikachu (GB), Sea Venture (Ire), Romanza (GB), Whispering Moon (GB), Revels (GB), Time For The Moon (GB), Celtic Charioteer (GB), Bayside (GB), Sword Salute, Sydney Carton (GB). Scratched: Aix La Chapelle.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
