Juvenile would be in receipt of a big allowance against his elders.
Some of the most adventurous bids for the Prix de l'Abbaye might come John Ryan's way for La Bellota following the promising two-length runner-up performance of the rapid riser in the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. Sent off a 28-1 outsider for the run, La Bellota stunned expectations by nearly causing an upset as she settled just a neck short of much-fancied Richard Fahey's Powerful Glory. A near miss on the testing ground has spurred Ryan to seek even greater ambitions for the exciting two-year-old.
Ryan was quick to boast of La Bellota's plucky display, as this was significantly higher than he had had him in any of his previous runs. "We were thrilled with him. There's always a concern when the ground gets that soft, but fortunately they received a downpour halfway through the morning, which eased the ground.". Horses were going through it, and he dealt with it well, said Ryan. Having begun his career with two-second placements at Yarmouth and Musselburgh, La Bellota has built up seamlessly, demonstrating his potential to thrive amidst strong competition at the Listed level at York before stretching again at Newbury.
Remains unbeaten! Powerful Glory makes it two from two at @NewburyRacing for @OisinOrr and @RichardFahey…
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) September 21, 2024
La Bellota's resilience was to be put to the test as he raced over six furlongs, which marked the first time he would be racing at this distance. Ryan thinks this move opened up a lot of possibilities for his horse. "I think racing six furlongs for the first time helped, as although he got headed, he seemed to fight back until the line, which opens up a few more options for him," said Ryan. His near victory against a proven horse like Powerful Glory, whom Fahey considers something of a special talent, has given Ryan the conviction that his charge should continue at this highest level.
Ryan does not believe in lowering the bar, even if La Bellota is still eligible for maiden races, especially as it falls so late in the season. Instead, he has targeted a high-profile outing during the Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp, and the Prix de l'Abbaye has become an intriguing possibility. "He has got an entry in the Prix de l'Abbaye. The ground often comes up the wrong side of soft there, and now he's shown he can handle that; it does open up that as an option for him," said Ryan.
La Bellota has come through his recent exertions unscathed, Ryan reporting the gelding fine after his Newbury run. "He's come out of his race very well. He went out for an exercise this morning and was moving well, and he hasn't left an oat since he got back, so touch wood, he's all good," declared the trainer. While still on cloud nine over the prospects ahead, he is sartorial and prudent enough to consider the progress of the horse before making a final decision. "We'll get this week out of the way and then decide on whether we go down that route of the Abbaye.
The owner wouldn't be averse to traveling, be it France, America, or wherever," said Ryan. For now, though, the future looks bright for La Bellota, with big race targets on the horizon and scope to continue improving. Ryan is keen, however, to manage expectations and maintain a sensible approach, well aware that the best days of La Bellota may yet be ahead of him. "He's a big horse, so whatever he does, he'll be better next year if we can keep him in one piece," he concluded. With patience and the right opportunities, La Bellota could make its mark on the racing scene.
