By Sean Cronin
Last term's G1 Sun Chariot Stakes runner-up Blue Bolt (Blue Point), a rare Juddmonte purchase, is back on the path into elite-level company after breaking Andrew Balding's duck at this year's Royal Ascot meeting with a dominant performance in the latter stages of Wednesday's G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.
“This has been the plan since she ran so well in the Sun Chariot at the end of last year,” said Balding. “Barring her first start at Southwell, she has never run a bad race and we've had this in our minds for a good while. It's lovely when a plan comes together. We've got to have another go for a Group 1 now and she's been placed in one, but deserves more cracks to try to win one at that level. She's a star and is relaxing much better this year which is really helpful. Colin Keane has given her an amazing ride there, because it was not an easy draw, but he was decisive and got a position and that really helped her win her race. It was a super job and I was always confident she would keep going. The [G1] Falmouth could be a good fit for her if she comes out of this well. She might get an entry in the [G1] Nassau, but it would be nice to get a Group 1 won. We know she stays the mile well, so she will stay at a mile for the time being.”
Last month's Listed Conqueror Stakes victrix employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled off the pace in sixth through halfway. Making eyecatching progress on the bridle once into the home straight, the 5-2 favourite swooped for control approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the closing stages to defeat Jancis (Tamayuz) by 1 3/4 lengths.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained 2024 G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Friendly Soul (Kingman) raced in rear for the most part and came home strongly to finish a half-length further adrift in third.
Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Jancis, trainer Willie McCreery said, “To give that filly three pounds is a big ask and I don't think a filly giving weight has won here in a long while. [Owner] Arturo [Cousino] wanted to have runner here, it's his dream and she's done him proud. She loves the ground, absolutely loves it, and they can't go fast enough for her. She keeps galloping to the end, a good filly beat us but we'll take her on again. The Falmouth will be the plan and it'll be all Group 1s from here on in.”
Oisin Murphy was left wondering what might have been after Friendly Soul finished fast from the rear. “I got knocked over at the start and it was a very messy race. I was too far back and I think she probably should have won.”
John Gosden added, “She was squeezed out at the start meaning we were at the back, but she got a great run up the rail. She couldn't get through and then she got through late. I am very very happy with her and she finished like a train.”
Brilliant from Blue Bolt in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes! #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/6TGL7F2AKG
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2026
Pedigree Notes
Blue Bolt is the fifth of seven foals and one of four scorers out of G3 Prix Allez France victrix Mayhem (Whipper), herself a full-sister to G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner and G1 Hong Kong Mile runner-up Royal Bench.
Mayhem is also kin to G3 Ormonde Stakes winner and G1 Irish Derby third Memphis Tennessee (Hurricane Run) and Listed Glencairn Stakes placegetter Vega Magnifico (Lope De Vega).
The €400,000 Arqana August graduate is a half-sister to stakes-winning G2 German 1000 Guineas and G3 Prix Imprudence runner-up Sky Angel (Dark Angel), three-time stakes winner Sea Theme (Sea The Stars), the once-raced two-year-old filly Heureuse (Dark Angel) and a yearling colt by Baaeed.
Wednesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES-G2, £250,000, Ascot, 6-17, 4yo/up, f/m, 7f 213yT, 1:39.07, g/f.
1–BLUE BOLT (IRE), 128, f, 4, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Mayhem (Ire) (GSW-Fr), by Whipper
2nd Dam: Hit The Sky (Ire), by Cozzene
3rd Dam: Cerulean Sky (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. (€400,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG). O-Juddmonte; B-C-Squared Investments; T-Andrew Balding; J-Colin Keane. £141,775. Lifetime Record: 8-5-2-0, $446,484. *1/2 to Sea Theme (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), MSW-Eng & SW-Fr; and Sky Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), SW & GSP-Fr, GSP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Jancis (Ire), 131, m, 5, Tamayuz (GB)–Blame The Ruler (Ire), by Ruler Of The World (Ire). O/B-Arturo Cousino; T-Willie McCreery. £53,750.
3–Friendly Soul (GB), 128, m, 5, Kingman (GB)–In Clover (GB), by Inchinor (GB). O/B-George Strawbridge; T-John & Thady Gosden. £26,900.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, 2HF. Odds: 2.50, 12.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Kon Tiki (GB), Snellen (Ire), Carolina Jetstream (GB), Cathedral (GB), Arisaig (GB), Godspeed (Fr), Falakeyah (GB), Francophone (GB), Dash Of Azure (GB), Catalina Delcarpio (Ire), Shes Perfect (Ire), Noche Clasica (Ire).
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