Juvenile would be in receipt of a big allowance against his elders.
John Ryan, the seasoned British trainer, is contemplating an audacious move to take La Bellota, his promising colt, to the Prix de l'Abbaye at ParisLongchamp after the horse's impressive performance in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. Despite being a rank outsider at 28-1, La Bellota defied expectations and finished a close second, just a neck behind Richard Fahey's highly regarded colt, Powerful Glory, in testing ground conditions.
Ryan expressed his delight with the colt's gritty display, noting that the sudden downpour mid-morning at Newbury loosened the ground—a factor that worked in La Bellota’s favor. "We were delighted with him. There's always a worry when the ground goes that extreme, but luckily they had a downpour halfway through the morning, and I think that helped as that loosened the ground and horses were getting through it," Ryan shared.
For La Bellota, the Mill Reef Stakes marked a significant step up, not just in class but also in distance, with the race spanning six furlongs—his longest yet. Ryan was impressed by how well the horse handled the new challenge, stating, "He's still a raw, greenish horse without the miles on the clock really, but we'd never put the gun to his head until Saturday, and he came up trumps. I think going six furlongs for the first time helped as although he got headed, he seemed to fight back until the line, so that opens up options a little bit."
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 Rapid Progress
La Bellota’s development has been a joy for Ryan, who believes the colt is beginning to show his true potential. The colt, sired by Mehmas, started his racing career with back-to-back second-place finishes at Yarmouth and Musselburgh, before stepping up to Listed company at York’s Roses Stakes. In that race, he was not far off the lead, finishing a respectable fifth. However, his showing at Newbury was his most significant leap yet, demonstrating a new level of maturity and competitiveness that surprised many.
The trainer was particularly pleased with the colt’s tenacity in the face of competition, praising his determination. "You had the right horse there that won it. Richard doesn’t get it wrong too often, and if he thinks highly of one, then it must be special, because he does have one or two to compare him to."
A Potential for Greatness? Ryan Considers Prix de l'Abbaye
La Bellota's strong showing has led Ryan to think big. He is now weighing up an entry into the prestigious Prix de l'Abbaye at ParisLongchamp, part of the Arc weekend—a race that could be a fitting test for a horse that has so far exceeded all expectations. "He’s got an entry in the Prix de l'Abbaye. The ground does often turn up on the soft side there, and now he’s proved he handles that, it does open that option up for him," Ryan explained.
The excitement surrounding La Bellota's future is palpable. Ryan noted that the horse has come out of his Newbury race in excellent condition, with a post-race check showing no signs of wear or distress. "He’s come out of his race very well. He went out for an exercise this morning and was moving very well and hasn’t left an oat since he got back, so touch wood he’s all good."
However, Ryan is keen to keep his options open, taking a measured approach before committing to any particular race. "We’ll get this week out of the way and then make a decision on whether we go down that Abbaye route, but the owner wouldn’t be averse to traveling, whether that’s France or America or wherever," he said.
A Promising Career Ahead
While La Bellota remains eligible for maiden races, Ryan sees little value in lowering his sights at this point in the season. "I don’t see much point in going for a maiden at 1-20 or whatever, and there aren’t that many maidens at this time of year over five or six furlongs anyway," Ryan pointed out. He believes that the horse's performances at the higher levels demonstrate his readiness for even bigger challenges ahead.
La Bellota, a large and physically imposing horse, is still very much a work in progress, with Ryan confident that his best days are 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."
As Ryan navigates these exciting decisions for La Bellota’s next steps, the trainer remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the thrill of having a horse on the brink of major success. "It's an exciting time, and it’s nice to have these questions about where you’re going to go, but at the moment, we’re just trying to keep our feet on the ground and have a sensible look," Ryan concluded.
Whether La Bellota takes his place at the prestigious Prix de l'Abbaye or continues his journey on a different path, one thing is certain: this colt has the potential to be a significant player in the future of racing.
