Royal Patronage, winner of last year's Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, will make his next start in the $1 million Belmont Derby on July 9. After that, ownership Highclere Thoroughbred Racing will leave the 3-year-old Wootton Bassett colt in the United States with trainer Graham Motion, according to the Racing Post.
Currently conditioned by Charlie and Mark Johnston, Royal Patronage appeared to struggle with the going last out in the Epsom Derby. Transferring the colt to the U.S., where the turf courses are often much firmer than those found in Europe, could help Royal Patronage achieve his full potential.
“He's a horse who loves good or faster ground and is not short of tactical speed, probably more mile and a quarter than mile and a half,” said Highclere's managing director Harry Herbert. “He's got really good form and we just felt it might give him the best chance of earning very big prize-money and running in Group 1 turf races in the States versus here where you might get soft ground.”
Royal Patronage will run in Johnston's name in the Belmont Derby, then be transferred to Motion's stable. Overall, the colt has a record of three wins and two seconds from nine starts, with earnings of $211,893.
“He's the first of our horses at this level to go out there and stay there and it's a great adventure for everyone,” added Herbert.
Read more at Racing Post.
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