Power Racing Co.'s The Foxes produced a career-best performance to win the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) Saturday at Newmarket and gained a guaranteed starting position in the $1 -million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win And You're In.
The Foxes was held up at the rear of the four-runner field in the early stages by jockey David Probert. Entering the final furlong, each of the four were in with a chance, but it was the Andrew Balding-trained colt that came home strongest to win by a half-length.
The son of Churchill was followed home by Dubai Mile, trained by Mark and Charlie Johnston, with Godolphin's Flying Honours, the odds-on favorite, a short head behind in third. Aidan O'Brien's Greenland finished fourth under jockey Ryan Moore.
Probert was full of praise for The Foxes and believes the 2-year-old colt could have a bright future.
“He's got a lovely temperament about him and the way he's galloped out today there shouldn't be a problem going up in trip with him,” he said. “He's a lovely prospect. He's matured really well this horse both mentally and physically.
“We got in a lovely rhythm and handled the undulations quite well today,” he added. “He hit the line well and I'm delighted for King Power and the team back home. His name was always saved for a special one, and I think they've got one.”
Trainer, Andrew Balding, was also enthusiastic about The Foxes and believes a tilt at next year's Epsom Derby (G1) could be a realistic target.
“It's hugely satisfying,” Balding said. “King Power are very important to us and it's lovely to have a really good one for them. I hope depending on how far he'll stay that he could develop into an Epsom horse, that's always the hope. His brother (Bangkok) didn't quite stay a mile-and-a-half so that's a question mark, but we'll see.”
The Foxes, who is out of the Darshaan mare Tanaghum, completed the one-mile contest in 1:43:66 over a course listed as good.
The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for The Foxes to start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, which will be run at 1 mile over the turf course at Keeneland. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of $40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 24 to receive the rewards.
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