Although a break is next for American winner, more travel awaits in the new year.
Bellum Justum will investigate other overseas alternatives in the wake of his profitable triumph in America last weekend under Frankie Dettori.
Andrew Balding's colt, winner of the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on his three-year-old debut, finished sixth in the Derby and was placed in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot.
Based on those efforts, the Sea The Stars colt crossed the Atlantic to be a strong contender for the Nashville Derby, and he did not disappoint, winning handily at Kentucky Downs and earning over GBP 800,000 in prize money for his owners, King Power Racing.
Bellum Justum lands the Grade 3 Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs for @FrankieDettori and @AndrewBalding2! pic.twitter.com/lqUMNlqYS9
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 31, 2024
Alastair Donald, the racing manager for King Power, said, "We felt we were probably better than the American horses, but without an actual line through the form, you never quite know and things often go wrong when you travel."
"Fortunately, everything went without a hitch—aside from Frankie moving a little slowly—and he usually performs well in those important races. We thought we had a strong chance of outlasting the others once he secured a decent position.
"It was pleasing that a well-thought-out approach paid off handsomely. The Arc and the Derby, in my opinion, are the only two races in Europe that he could have won that would have been more valuable! To put it another way, I'm sure there will be a lot more horses traveling in 2019."
"He's had a busy season, as he obviously had a Derby campaign, so he's been on the go quite a long time," Donald continued, speaking about his future intentions.
"Since he enjoys moving quickly, we'll probably give him a little vacation in January or February and maybe look into some Middle Eastern choices.
"He ran below par in the Derby, which was unfortunate, but he is an impressive and resilient horse who we believe will improve even more at four."
"I think there's going to be more excitement and big prizes in him, but he's probably a horse who is going to thrive with traveling – given he likes fast ground and can sprint over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half gives him lots of options."
